A European investment firm has invested in active ingredients
company Groupe Unipex which the firm hopes will allow it to
double in size in the next five years.
Atrium Innovations has sold its active ingredients and specialty
chemicals division to AXA Private Equity in a deal that will see it
concentrate solely on the health and nutrition field.
Leading UK toothpaste packaging manufacturer Betts Global has been
bought out by private equity specialist Gresham in a move that aims
to better position the company for future global growth.
PZ Cussons has announced its plans for significant investment
into its manufacturing facilities in both Nigeria and the UK
following a successful year in both markets.
Following the recent sale of its Hirtler soap factory to an
independent buyer, Beiersdorf has stated this week that it will
sell its logistics centre in Hamburg in a bid to bring the
realignment of its supply chain organisation programme...
In line with market expectations, global direct sales leader Avon
says that its Strategic Sourcing Initiative is on course to bring
about savings of $400m (€305m) during the course of the next few
years.
US-based GE Energy Financial Services yesterday confirmed it would
take a majority interest in Idex Aquaservices, a France-based
supplier of purified water to the food, beverage and
cosmeticsindustries.
Avon Products says that as parts of major global restructuring
plans it is to build a state-of-the-art distribution facility in
the Midwest, leading to the consolidation and closure of two
distribution centres in Delaware and Illinois.
More than one month ahead of the scheduled publishing of its
half-yearly results, hair care specialist Alberto-Culver says it is
on course to deliver record results.
Unilever sales grew by just 2 per cent in 2005, putting them in the
shadows as arch rival P&G takes the number one consumer goods
spot following last year's purchase of Gillette.
Morgan Stanley Investment Management has taken a 1.75 per cent
stake in Kalina, following a period of growth and acquisitions for
the Russian cosmetics giant.
The battle for Japaneseconsumer giant Kanebo and its cosmetics
division has been narrowed down to three players that include
Japanese personal care giant Kao, and investment groups that
include European and US companies.
In line with the approaching completion of its CIS Supply Centre,
Oriflame has announced that it is hooking up with machinery
supplier Weckerle to establish a lipstick manufacturing facility.
Swedish direct sales company Oriflame has said that it expects
sales to grow at faster rates, but that significant investments,
particularly in the China and Russia markets, will impact operating
margins.
The investment world has given its seal of approval to P&G's
proposed $57 billion acquisition of Gillette, with analysts
recommending Gillette shares as a good buy, but experts are
expecting that the deal will bring headaches...
Toothpaste maker Colgate-Palmolive says it is axing more than 4,000
of its global work force and closing a third of its 78 factories in
a restructuring plan that aims to save the company up to $300
million a year. Simon Pitman reports.