Where will Knowlton Development Corporation (KDC/ONE) stop? After a series of external growth operations that have transformed the Canadian group into a global leader in custom formulation and manufacturing solutions for beauty, personal care and household brands, the company is about to acquire Zobele Group, a leading global innovator and manufacturer of home, air and care personal products.

With this new acquisition KDC/ONE intends to further enhance its global...

With this new acquisition KDC/ONE intends to further enhance its global development and manufacturing platform across beauty, personal care and household products. (Photo: © Sergey Mironov / shutterstock.com)

Founded in Italy in 1919, Zobele has more than 5,000 employees, two innovation hubs, five design and development centers and seven manufacturing facilities across the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America. Zobele serves 130 customers, providing an products and services to more than 150 brands in the air care, pest control, health & personal care and fabric & laundry care markets.

With this new acquisition KDC/ONE intends to further enhance its global development and manufacturing platform across beauty, personal care and household products.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close later this year. Following the close of the transaction, Zobele CEO Roberto Schianchi and the current management team will continue to run the Zobele business under the KDC/ONE umbrella, and Zobele’s headquarters will remain in Italy. Specific financial terms were not disclosed.

Most recently, KDC/ONE acquired several key players of the cosmetics industry: California’s Benchmark Cosmetics Laboratories, France’s Alkos Group, the manufacturing operations of UK’s Swallowfield, as well as China’s Paristy. The company also announced its intention to merge with HCT.