Azelis strengthens EMEA focus with Quimdis acquisition

20 Jul 2021 --- Belgium-based Azelis will acquire Quimdis in a bid to diversify its presence in France and EMEA. According to the companies, the move strengthens Azelis’ offering to fast-growing and attractive markets while also enhancing the position of Azelis France in the life sciences sector.

The financial terms have not been disclosed, and the deal is expected to close at the end of August.  

“Azelis will leverage Quimdis’ expertise to complement our lateral value chain with reliable and natural products like essential oils, amino acids, active ingredients, vitamins and minerals,” says Benoit Fritz, managing director of Azelis France. 

“We will further benefit from their strong presence across EMEA, expertise and product portfolio in attractive target market segments and geographies,” he continues. 

Azelis is part of Equity Residential (EQR), which is confident that the expanded range of services and global reach provided by this acquisition will continue to benefit customers and principals of the combined group.

On an acquisition trail
Azelis highlights that the transaction is consistent with its strategy of complementing organic growth with strategic acquisitions. 

“Following our recent acquisition of Vigon in North America and now Quimdis, Azelis is well-positioned to develop, structure and implement a global strategy for flavor & fragrance market with the aim to become a market leader,” says Dr. Hans Joachim Müller, Azelis’ CEO and president. 

Earlier this month, Azelis also agreed to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Coseal, a specialist distribution business in South Korea.Benoit Fritz and Jean-François Quarré at the signing of the acquisition.

A strategy pillar
The Vigon acquisition will enhance Azelis’ lateral value chain by diversifying and expanding its presence in France and EMEA. 

It also provides Azelis’ EMEA business with an “important foothold” in the growing non-cyclical markets of flavors and fragrances, synergistic opportunities in animal nutrition. It will also expand its offering in nutraceuticals. 

“Quimdis will be our EMEA pillar of that strategy and a crucial part of creating a global flavor and fragrance platform. Quimdis and Azelis will combine its relationships with top tier principals, with the aim of extending mandates in existing and new countries for a number of attractive product groups,” says Müller.

Securing Quimdis’ future
Quimdis was founded in 1988, originally focusing on essential oils and active ingredients. It now specializes in ingredient distribution and formulation development, with solid positions in the French market and with sales into more than 45 countries. 

It is headquartered in Paris and has sales close to €100 million (US$118 million). Jean-François Quarré, founder and CEO at Quimdis, will remain in his position to support the transition. 

“As well as benefiting from Azelis’ global principal relationships, Quimdis will have access to Azelis’ digital marketing and technical capabilities, which will allow us to develop and promote innovative and sustainable solutions for the life science industry,” details Quarré. 

“Becoming part of the Azelis family provides many synergistic opportunities that will help secure our future,” he concludes. 

Edited by Katherine Durrell