M&A Deal Summary

Kao Acquires Washing Systems

On August 10, 2018, Kao acquired consumer products company Washing Systems from Gryphon Investors

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Kao’s 3rd transaction in the Consumer Products sector.
  • This is Kao’s 3rd transaction in the United States.
  • This is Kao’s 2nd transaction in Ohio.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2018-08-10
Target Washing Systems
Sector Consumer Products
Buyer(s) Kao
Sellers(s) Gryphon Investors
Deal Type Add-on Acquisition

Target

Washing Systems

Loveland, Ohio, United States
Washing Systems LLC,is a provider of chemical and technical services for the commercial laundry processing sector. Kao creates high-value-added products that enrich the lives of consumers around the world. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Jergens, John Frieda, Molton Brown, Oribe, Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries and Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Kao

Tokyo, Japan
Category Company
Founded 1887
Sector Consumer Products
Employees34,257
Revenue 1.53T JPY (2023)
DESCRIPTION

Kao is a provider of product lines in two business fields, consumer products used in daily life and chemical products to meet various needs of industry. Kao was founded in 1887 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 4 of 4
Sector (Consumer Products) 3 of 3
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 3 of 3
State (Ohio) 2 of 2
Country (United States) 3 of 3
Year (2018) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2017-12-20 Oribe Hair Care

New York, New York, United States

Oribe Hair Care LLC is a provider of professional hair care products. Oribe Hair Care is based in New York, New York.

Buy -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

Gryphon Investors

San Francisco, California, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1997
PE ASSETS 8.9B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Gryphon Investors is a private equity firm focused on making $50 to $300 million of equity or equity-linked investments in middle-market companies. Target transaction situations include traditional buyouts, leveraged build-ups, and growth financings. Gryphon will consider both control and shared-control positions. Sectors of interest include business services, consumer, retail, automotive, chemicals, general manufacturing, healthcare, and hotels. Gryphon Investors was formed in 1997 and is based in San Francisco, California.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 21 of 35
Sector (Consumer Products) 2 of 3
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 11 of 16
State (Ohio) 2 of 3
Country (United States) 21 of 35
Year (2018) 1 of 2
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2018-06-05 Shermco Industries

Irving, Texas, United States

Shermco Industries, Inc. is a provider of electrical testing, maintenance, commissioning, and repair services to a wide range of utility, industrial, energy, and other end markets. With more than 20 locations, Shermco serves a diversified blue-chip customer base across North America. The Company is an active participant in the InterNational Electrical Testing Association, Electrical Apparatus Service Association, and American Wind Energy Association.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2018-09-04 Transportation Insight

Hickory, North Carolina, United States

Transportation Insight LLC is a North American-focused provider of tech-enabled enterprise logistics and freight brokerage solutions. The Company currently helps manage approximately $4 billion of annual transportation-related spend for over 1,500 enterprise logistics and brokerage clients, with expertise across a range of industries and end markets. Transportation Insight’s blended technology platform of proprietary and class-leading solutions enables clients to optimize their transportation networks, reduce their transportation costs, ensure on-time deliveries, and optimize their complex supply chains.

Buy -
Mergr

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