Dabur eyeing stake in Singapore's UNZA Holdings, say reports
By Our Corporate Bureau | 23 Mar 2007
Mumbai: FMCG major Dabur India is in talks with Singapore-based UNZA Holdings for a stake in the Southeast Asian consumer goods maker.
Some reports quoting sources, meanwhile, said Dabur is close to acquiring over 60 per cent of UNZA Holdings' stake in a deal worth up to Rs 675 crore. Dabur is likely to close the deal in the first quarter of FY08, the reports added.
Dabur currently makes juices, cooking pastes and personal and home care products. The acquisition will give Dabur an entry into detergents, fragrance, and toiletries, reports said.
UNZA is Southeast Asia's leading maker of personal care products and its brands include Enchanteur, Safi, Eversoft and Romano. UNZA's household product brands include Vigor and Maxkleen.
UNZA, with a revenue of $150 million, has 58,000 retail outlets and five manufacturing units in China and Southeast Asia.
UNZA reported a net profit of S$10.56 million and revenue of S$188.53 million in 2005. Actis and StanChart Pvt Equity Fund hold 60 per cent stake in UNZA.
Dabur has been in talks with several companies though nothing has been planned yet in the immediate future. The company, it seems, has not decided on any acquisition target yet and is still scouting for opportunities in Southeast Asia, West Asia and the US.
Dabur sources dismissed the reports as speculative.
