MELVILLE, N.Y. — Ira J. Lamel, executive vice-president and chief financial officer of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., has announced his intent to retire, but he will remain with the company until a successor is named and to ensure an orderly transition. The company has begun a global search for a replacement.

Mr. Lamel joined Hain Celestial in 2001 as c.f.o., and earlier spent 28 years at Ernst & Young L.L.P., where he retired as an audit partner in 2001 prior to joining Hain Celestial.

“Working with Ira has been an absolute pleasure,” said Irwin D. Simon, founder, president and chief executive officer. “Ira has been a key member of our management team and a valuable adviser. Ira’s tireless contributions and commitment have been instrumental to the growth of the company. His accomplishments include building a first-rate finance team, working on numerous worldwide acquisitions, facilitating our bank financings and our dealings with the Wall Street investor community including analysts and investors — all actions that have positioned the company for sustainable long-term growth. Ira has been a strong ally for the company, for me, and the rest of the management team. We are all happy for Ira and his family and wish them well.”