Laboratoires Expanscience, a family-owned French pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetics company specialized in skin health, has acquired Babo Botanicals, the well-known US-based, botanically infused mineral skincare brand for babies and adults.
WHO: Babo Botanicals is based in the US, and was founded in 2010 by Kate Solomon, a young mother searching for safe, efficacious, and natural products for her children. The company develops and markets a full range of mineral- and plant-based premium skincare, sun care, and hair care solutions for babies, children, and adults with sensitive skin. Babo Botanicals’ formulations, which incorporate botanical ingredients, are certified by the Environmental Working Group and are ideal for families looking to protect and safely nurture their babies’ skin with reliable and authentic products.
Laboratoires Expanscience was founded in 1950 and is a French family-owned pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetics laboratory, with a turnover of c. €270 million, 62% of which is international. Expanscience’s products are available in more than 100 countries. The company has built a solid international reputation as an important innovator, and as a specialist in the treatment of arthritis and skin health, with two leading brands—Piasclédine 300 and Mustela. Expanscience’s positive environmental and social impact is certified with the company’s B Corp label, and supported by c. 1,100 employees globally.
WHY: The acquisition will allow Expanscience to strengthen its presence particularly in the natural skincare and mineral-based sun care categories within the baby and family category. Mustela will be able to expand as well, gaining access to important US distributors that specialize in premium natural and safe products, as well as to key retailers. Additionally, Babo Botanicals can be expected to experience accelerated growth in the US and internationally.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Jean-Paul Berthomé, president of Laboratoires Expanscience, comments, “This acquisition marks an important milestone in Expanscience’s development in the US market. Babo Botanicals will accelerate Mustela’s growth in the US and is fully aligned with our commitment to the well-being of consumers. We share the same values and ambitions. We look forward to working with Kate Solomon and to providing Babo Botanicals with our expertise and resources to grow the brand both in the US and abroad.”
Kate Solomon, founder and president of Babo Botanicals, says, “Being part of a company such as Expanscience, known for its expertise in safe product formulations, development of natural active ingredients, and its dedicated R&D and production center in France, is a tremendous opportunity for Babo Botanicals to further grow the brand and its visibility and presence globally.”
Stanislas Baudry, General Manager of Laboratoires Expanscience North America, notes: “We are thrilled to welcome Kate Solomon and her team to join our US subsidiary. This will be a great opportunity for both our brands, Mustela and Babo Botanicals, to develop operational synergies and to share our complementary expertise in the US market. Kate Solomon will retain her position as President of Babo Botanicals and will continue to operate with her team out of their Scarsdale, NY offices.”
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