THE WHAT? Henkel has signed an agreement to acquire Shiseido’s Asia-Pacific Hair Professional business.

THE DETAILS The acquisition will include professional brands such as Sublimic and Primience. 

Shiseido will retain a 20 percent share in the legal entity in Japan in order to support business growth via a partnership with Henkel. 

Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel said, “As part of our strategic agenda for purposeful growth, compelling acquisitions play a key role in actively shaping our portfolio. This transaction is a step-change for Henkel’s Hair Professional business. By expanding our Professional business in Asia-Pacific, we will become one of the leading players in this highly dynamic region with attractive future growth potential.”

THE WHY? The buy-out further strengthens Henkel’s hair professional business, which in recent years saw the company acquire three US companies – Sex Hair, Alterna and Kenra – as well as Nattura Laboratorios and the North American Hair Professional Business of Shiseido. 

Wolfgang König, Executive Vice President Beauty Care at Henkel, said of the purchase, “We will significantly increase our market position in Japan and China, the world’s top 2 and 3 Hair Professional markets and important centers of trends and innovations.”