Henkel to purchase Shiseido’s US hair professional business for $485m

Germany-based consumer goods producer Henkel has entered an agreement to buy Japan-based Shiseido Company’s Zotos International for $485m.

Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, the deal will allow Henkel to add professional brands including Joico and Zotos Professional into its portfolio.

Headquartered in the US, Zotos International generated $230m in sales last year. The company currently employs around 700 people and operates a manufacturing site and a research and development (R&D) facility in the US.

Henkel CEO Hans Van Bylen said: “This acquisition is part of our strategy to expand our position in attractive markets and categories.

“The high-performance and high-quality brands are a perfect fit for our beauty care business.”

The proposed deal is Henkel’s third acquisition in the country’s professional haircare market over the recent years and follows the purchase of Sexy Hair, Alterna, and Kenra in 2014.