Knowlton Development Corporation (KDC), a contract manufacturer of personal-care products based in Québec, has acquired Northern Labs, a full-service liquid product contract manufacturer serving the personal and home care markets. Located in Wisconsin, the company is specialising in liquid, gel, lotion, and paste products.

For several years, KDC has been engaged in an external growth strategy aiming at transforming the group into a major subcontractor in the North American consumer goods sector.

Northern Labs employs more than 200 full-time employees in facilities totaling over 275,000 square feet (about 25,500 sqm). Its offering includes turnkey manufacturing solutions for large fill and unique package types, QA/QC services and regulatory services. While KDC is active in many personal care categories such as deodorants, hair care, bath and body, and skin care products, the Northern Labs acquisition will bring the group with additional production capabilities in North America as well as a significant opportunity in the categories of home, laundry and automotive care, as well as industrial products.

The Specialty Household market category offers a series of growth opportunities for both our companies,” said Nicholas Whitley, President and CEO of KDC. “KDC and Northern Labs have similar values and business cultures, and we strongly feel that Northern Labs’ team of highly skilled professionals, and its reputation for product quality, consistency, and customer service will align well with our operating principles, and will bring tangible benefits by leveraging the scale and core competencies of our combined network of companies, facilities, existing and future clients.

Located in Wisconsin, Northern Labs employs more than 200 full-time employees in facilities totaling over 275,000 square feet (about 25,500 sqm).

The transaction is being financed by the private equity firm Novacap, in partnership with La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Investissement Québec, Export Development Canada, Fondaction CSN and other institutional partners.