Unilever to buy personal, home care brands from LatAm firm Quala

Anglo-Dutch consumer products giant Unilever Plc yesterday said that it would buy a range of personal and home care brands from Latin American consumer goods company Quala.

Unilever did not disclose the deal value, but the proposed acquisition includes the haircare brands Savital, eGo and Bio-Expert as well as Fortident toothpaste and Aromatel fabric softener.

These brands have combined annual turnover of $400 million in Latin American countries including Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico.

The deal comes four months after the London-based company acquired US-based hair care products maker Living  Proof Inc. (See: Unilever to buy US-based hair care products maker Living Proof)

Founded in 1980, Quala has a strong presence in 10 countries in Latin America, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Peru, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

''The inclusion of these brands in our stable will consolidate our leading position in Haircare globally, and contribute to our Oral Care and Male Grooming businesses, complementing very well our existing offering,'' said, Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever.

Miguel Kozuszok, executive vice president, Latin America, Unilever, said, ''Quala's brands will give us an even sounder footing in Latin America, broadening our offering in Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador. We look forward to continuing to grow these great brands.''