Ontex bids for Brazilian diaper manufacturer

Brazilian media claim Belgian Ontex has tabled a bid for Brazilian pharmaceutical company Hypermarcas‘ diaper division. The company from Eastern Flanders also acquired Mexican Grupo Mabe last year.

Growth through acquisitions

According to Brazilian paper O Globo, Ontex has offered 1.2 billion reias (325 million euro) to acquire Hypermarcas’ diaper division. It remains to be seen whether that bid will be accepted, because allegedly, the Brazilians want at least 1.5 billion reias (400 million euro) for its diaper brands. In the 2009-2010 timeframe, Hypermarcas expanded its diaper market share when it acquired Sapeka, Pom Pom and Hydrogen, but it wants to get rid of these activities now. 

On the other hand, Ontex wants to become one of the 5 largest suppliers of disposable hygienic products in the world by 2020. It aims to achieve that with organic turnover growth and acquisitions alike. Mabe Group’s acquisition, worth 340 million euro, was the company’s first major step in that direction after it went public in 2014.