Wipro Unza To Acquire China's FMCG Company

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Wipro Unza (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, one of the largest players in personal care in Malaysia, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 100 per cent shake in Zhongshan Ma Er Daily Products Ltd, a China-based fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company. Zhongshan Ma Er's portfolio includes leading personal care brands such as Enear, Zici and Vcnic, as well as fabric care brands including Pahnli and Sunew. Speaking to reporters after announcing the acquisition on Thursday, Wipro Unza Managing Director Kumar Chander said the acquisition would help the company leapfrog into the leading position in South China's personal care market, besides adding critical brands to the group's portfolio. "Post acquisition, Wipro Unza, the Southeast Asian arm of Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, which recorded revenues of 82 million renminbi from its China business in 2007, will touch an annual run rate of close to one billion renminbi. "India-based Wipro Consumer Care's international businesses will now contribute 55 per cent to its total global revenue," he said. Renminbi is the official currency of China. Kumar declined to disclose the value of the acquisition but said it was the company's second largest acquisition after its purchase of Singapore's Unza Holdings Ltd in 2007 for US$246 million (RM1.01 billion). The company had also made other acquisitions including Glucovita in 2003, Chandrika in 2004, and Yardley in 2009. Meanwhile, on the Malaysian market, Kumar said the group was eyeing a higher single-digit growth of between 8.0 per cent and 10 per cent this year following several product launches. Last year, it reported a revenue of US$124.44 million (RM513 million). Among the products that will contribute to the growth are two innovative products -- Safi Shayla Flexi Pack shampoo and Dashing no gas deodorant spray. "Our current strategy is innovation. We have invested in research and development to improve our products and at the same time improve our marketing," he said. Wipro Unza's portfolio brands in Malaysia include Safi, Bio-essence, Carrie Junior, Enchanteur, Dashing and Romano. --BERNAMA