Kao to Acquire Oribe Hair Care from Luxury Brand Partners (FOTO)

Cincinnati, Ohio (ots) -

Kao USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kao Corporation, a
leading manufacturer and marketer of top beauty brands recognized
around the world for innovation and quality, announced today it has
signed an agreement to acquire Oribe Hair Care, LLC from its owners,
including Luxury Brand Partners, LLC, an innovator in beauty known
for its artist-driven brands and entrepreneurial culture. Daniel
Kaner, co-founder and currently co-president of Oribe Hair Care will
be named president of the newly acquired entity. The terms of the
deal were not disclosed.

Oribe will join the Kao Salon Division portfolio of professional
brands, including Goldwell, a full service line of stylist-exclusive,
premium hair products designed for professional needs, and the KMS
line of globally inspired hair care and styling products for creative
stylists and their clients.

Oribe has grown from a prestige hair care brand into a global
beauty authority that offers hair care, skincare, body care, makeup,
tools and accessories. The brand holds a strong presence in the
top-tier professional salon segment as well as in leading specialty
retailers around the world.

"Oribe is a stellar brand and a perfect fit for the Kao Salon
Division portfolio," said Cory Couts, Global President, Kao Salon
Division. "And Daniel will be an exciting and inspiring addition to
our management team. Daniel's appointment not only guarantees the
continuity of all that is extraordinary about Oribe but is also a
progression of our company's mission to appeal to the most artistic
and business-minded salon professionals in the world."

"Kao is the ideal place for Oribe Hair Care to take the next step
in its transformative journey," said Kaner. "I have a deep respect
for their organization and talented leadership team. Our friendship
and business relationship goes back years, most successfully with the
strategic partnership in the United States between Oribe and Goldwell
color. We have always believed that hair care should be an immersive
and luxury experience, and Kao is incredibly supportive of the high
standard that we set for ourselves."

"With its focus on luxury products, Oribe will meet the need for a
prestige line in the Kao Salon product mix," continued Couts. "And,
the extensive global distribution network of Kao Salon Division will
enable Oribe to expand internationally."

"It is a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to a brand that Oribe
Canales, Daniel Kaner and I founded and created almost ten years
ago," said Tevya Finger, CEO of Luxury Brand Partners. "I am
extremely proud of what Oribe Hair Care has been able to accomplish
since its inception, and I look forward to watching Kao Corporation
develop the brand on a global scale."

The Oribe business will continue to be based in New York City
under current management, reporting to Kao Salon Division.

The acquisition is subject to normal regulatory review and
approval.

About Kao Salon Division:

Kao Salon Division is part of the Kao Beauty Care Business
Division offering salon-exclusive products and services to stylists
around the globe. It is a thought and trend leader in the
professional hair care industry as well as the home of the Goldwell
and KMS brands. The mission of Kao Salon Division is to enrich the
lives of stylists, salon owners and their clients through
partnership, salon business growth and our salon exclusive portfolio
of advanced services, innovative products and inspiring education.

About Oribe Hair Care: Oribe Hair Care has set the standard for
professional hair care within the prestige market. Blending
innovative formulations, top-performing products, award-winning
packaging and unparalleled education, Oribe has become a renowned
beauty authority for experienced stylists and taste-driven consumers
alike. These are the products of the hair-obsessed.

About Luxury Brand Partners: Luxury Brand Partners develops and
nurtures prestige artist-driven beauty brands, with a focus on
innovation and a passion for the creative mind. With offices in Miami
and New York City, our portfolio of companies offers high-performance
products and top-of-the-line education informed by both an artistic
and a business perspective. Luxury Brand Partners includes R+Co,
Smith & Cult, IGK, V76 by Vaughn and Pulp Riot.

Contact:
Kao Europe, Middle East, Africa: Melanie Schnitzler
melanie.schnitzler@kao.com 0049-6151 3960686

Oribe Hair Care: Tara Lowenberg TL Communications
tara@tlcommunicate.com 001-212 375 8660

Luxury Brand Partners: Erin McCaffrey Nenadich BPCM
emccaffrey@bpcm.com 001-646 795 6893

Original-Content von: Kao Corporation, übermittelt durch news aktuell