Pierre Fabre Invest, a Pierre Fabre Group subsidiary dedicated to investments, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the share capital of Ladrôme.
WHO: Founded in 1999, Ladrôme is specialized in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of aromatherapy and phytotherapy products formulated exclusively from organically grown plants in accordance with the highest standards and certifications in the industry. Marketed under the Ladrôme Laboratoire brand, its products are distributed through two main channels: organic stores—the brand's historical anchoring—and pharmacies. Ladrôme also has a subcontracting activity.
Pierre Fabre is the second-largest dermocosmetics laboratory in the world, the second-largest private French pharmaceutical group, and the market leader in France for products sold over the counter in pharmacies. Its portfolio includes several medical franchises and international brands including Pierre Fabre Oncology, Pierre Fabre Dermatology, Eau Thermale Avène, Klorane, Ducray, René Furterer, A-Derma, Naturactive, and Pierre Fabre Oral Care. In 2020, Pierre Fabre generated €2.3 billion in revenues, 65% of which came from international sales. Pierre Fabre is 86% owned by the Pierre Fabre Foundation, a government-recognized public-interest foundation, and secondarily by its own employees through an international employee stock ownership plan.
WHY: The transaction strengthens Pierre Fabre Group's expertise and its positions in the rapidly growing natural health market, where it is already a recognized player with its Naturactive brand, which it will continue to develop.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Wim Tanghe, founder of Ladrôme, said, "With Pierre Fabre Invest, we have found the ideal investor to pursue the development of Ladrôme. Our first selection criterion was to find a partner with whom we would share common values of ethics, naturalness and local presence. This is the case with Pierre Fabre, the only industrial group in France owned by a government-recognized public-interest foundation and which has received the highest recognition from Ecocert Environment for its corporate social responsibility approach."
William Colin, Managing Director of Ladrôme, said, "We are delighted about this merger, which will give us additional resources to pursue our development both in our deep-rooted channel of organic stores and in the pharmacy channel. While maintaining our management autonomy, we will be able to rely on Pierre Fabre's recognized expertise in agronomy, botany and natural health."
Eric Ducournau, CEO of the Pierre Fabre Group, said, "Through this operation led by Pierre Fabre Invest, our dedicated investment subsidiary, we are confirming our strategy to acquire stakes in companies with high potential which are developing business models different from ours. This approach thus gives us privileged access to projects, concepts and new practices in a competitive environment where the future belongs to those who dare to challenge themselves."
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