Azelis expands in the US Personal Care market with the acquisition of Ross Organic

Azelis Americas, part of the Azelis Group, announced today the acquisition of Ross Organic, a specialty distributor into the personal care and home care/industrial cleaning markets located in Santa Fe, California, USA. With this move, Azelis Americas increases their resources and commitment to these specialty growth markets in the Western US. In keeping with Azelis Americas' "go to market strategy", the Ross Organic brand will remain, along with the people servicing the innovative western personal care market.

Hans-Joachim Müller, Azelis Group CEO, comments: "We are delighted about this acquisition. Ross Organic shares the same values that are central to Azelis: to be the best service provider in the industry. There is an excellent cultural fit between the companies which will result in enhanced service to both our customers and principals. I would like to thank our US team for their efforts in securing this important deal and am delighted that our successful growth strategy is being supported by funds advised by Apax Partners, our major shareholders."

Frank Bergonzi, CEO and President of Azelis Americas states: "One of the pillars of our Personal Care strategy has been to focus on increasing our footprint in the US in the personal care space. The DeWolf acquisition in early 2014 has been a resounding success, and we feel similarly positive about the addition of Ross Organic. They are a proven leader in the sales and marketing of specialty products and have the technical resources and lab facilities to be successful, which are also key elements to our value proposition." Mr. Bergonzi concludes: "This acquisition affords us the extended reach and history of sustainable organic growth in a strategically important market segment."

"It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we join Azelis Americas, the leading specialty chemical distributor in North America. We are confident that this move will further strengthen Ross Organic’s customer and supplier capabilities, as well as ensure we remain the preeminent personal care distributor in the Western US," says Stephanie Ross Leshney, co-owner and President of Ross Organic. "Becoming part of Azelis is a huge step for the Ross family as we and our employees will celebrate our 30th year in business in 2017. We look forward to celebrating this milestone, and many more, with our new partners and the Azelis family," she concludes.

Tim Dooling, President of Personal Care and Homecare and Industrial Cleaning market segments, Azelis Americas, says: "We look to partner with the ‘best in class’. Ross Organic represents the best in class, in both their technical expertise and innovative marketing engine. This investment demonstrates to both our suppliers and customers that Azelis Americas is committed to the personal care and homecare and industrial cleaning markets." Mr. Dooling concludes: "We will maintain all of their technical selling capabilities and do not plan to make any significant changes. Stephanie Ross Leshney will continue to lead the team, and we see no disruption in services to our customers or principals. We value the team Stephanie has put together and the Ross Organic name in the industry."