MATTES GROUP, a leading Czech distributor of personal care and household care products, acquired a portfolio of LYBAR trademarks

Sector: Cosmetics and personal care products
Target company: Portfolio of Lybar trademarks and related assets
Seller: private investor
Buyer: MATTES GROUP
Our role: Advisory to seller
Transaction size: Undisclosed
Year: 2015

LYBAR is a traditional Czech cosmetic brand with a history going back to 1st half of the 20th century. LYBAR, the pioneer in former Czechoslovakia in hair care sprays, has been enjoying high consumer awareness and thus is present in all retail chains and specialised grocery stores in its home markets.

A family-owned MATTES GROUP was established in 1991 and had a direct presence in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Romania. The Group distributes dental and personal care products, cleaning products, air fresheners and packaging products to retail chains and independent stores. This acquisition enables the buyer to expand its product range with the hair care product category. In the past, MATTES GROUP acquired other trademarks, such as Pepino or MILO.

Merger Vision acted as an exclusive M&A advisor to the seller and organised an international tender process with numerous strategic investors.

The advisory team of Merger Vision, led by Mr Mareš, has repeatedly approached us in the past regarding M&A opportunities in the production and distribution of traditional cosmetic brands. They demonstrated a deep knowledge of the market and personal contacts with major players in the market. That is why we entrusted the sale of the Lybar brand to Merger Vision. The process in which foreign and local investors were approached was conducted professionally and efficiently. We were pleasantly surprised by the number of offers received. Negotiations with the selected investor and the transaction settlement were aligned with our expectations.
Jan Michal, ALTSTAEDTER INVESTMENTS a.s.
shareholder and chairman of the Board of Directors

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