Founded in 1974 by Patrick VAN DEN SCHRIECK, SARBEC COSMETICS has been manufacturing and distributing cosmetics for 50 years. This development has been based on two levers: CDMO's expertise, used to the benefit of major cosmetics brands, and the development of own brands and prestigious licenses such as CORINE DE FARME, JACOMO, DISNEY, BRUMISATEUR EVIAN... With a dozen subsidiaries, SARBEC COSMETICS is present all over the world and generates 35% of its sales internationally.
Throughout its history, SARBEC COSMETICS has diversified its activities in France and internationally through external growth (medical and disinfection wipes, a luxury perfume and cosmetics manufacturing unit in Deauville, a cosmetics manufacturing plant in Poland, etc.), while following a policy of innovation through substantial investment. The Group recently invested more than €25 million in its main production facility, to expand, modernize and automate it in to meet a greater diversity of needs, while offering quality that is in line with the best market standards. An R&D team develops over 400 new formulas a year.
SARBEC COSMETICS, which has been family-owned from the outset, has turned a new page with the acquisition of 100% control by the VABEL Group, following a process led by ADVISO PARTNERS.
With this takeover, Groupe VABEL becomes a leading European player with over 2,000 employees, a sales target of €250 million and 7 sites with a total surface area of 300,000 m².
The specialization of these sites, together with new production and storage capacities, will enable us to meet all market demands and CSR requirements. The range of expertise covers R&D, formulation, regulatory affairs, marketing / creation of turnkey brands, blow-molding of shaped bottles, filling of all containers, shapes and materials, right through to distribution logistics on platforms or to distributor sales outlets in France and abroad.
This is Groupe VABEL's second acquisition since NAXICAP PARTNERS took a stake in 2021 alongside Christophe SALLES (VABEL's founder and longstanding CEO), following that of CCSP Parfums at the end of 2021. All shareholders will reinvest in the transaction, with the remainder of the financing provided by EURAZEO via unitranche debt.
In less than three years, VABEL's sales have increased by a factor of almost 10, and the company continues to display strong ambitions: the group is currently studying various targets in the sector to continue its "buy and build" strategy and become the benchmark consolidation platform in Europe.
Patrick VAN DEN SCHRIECK (Founder and Chairman of SARBEC COSMETICS) declares: "The time has come for me to pass on and give new impetus to the SARBEC Group that I created, by selling to a recognized industrialist who I am certain will be in line with my human values in ensuring the development of this new Group".
Christophe SALLES (Founder and Chairman of the VABEL Group) adds: "The men and women who are highly committed to this new project, the quality and capacity of creation and production at the service of our brands, the development of differentiating products integrating naturalness and the highest CSR standards, will enable us to confirm our position as European leader in the Luxury / Ultra Luxury / Parapharmacy market”.
Eric AVEILLAN (Chairman of NAXICAP PARTNERS) added: "The VABEL Group has taken an important step with the acquisition of SARBEC: the quality of its industrial facilities and its dynamism make it a rare investment opportunity in this sector. This acquisition enables us to reach critical mass and assert our ambitions in a fast-growing cosmetics market".
Guillaume CAPELLE (Managing Partner at ADVISO PARTNERS) adds: "We are delighted to have supported the VAN DEN SCHRIECK family in their project to transfer the SARBEC COSMETICS Group to the VABEL Group. This transaction will enable the family business to pursue its founder's ambitious and bold growth policy. The new entity will become a key player in the French and international cosmetics markets. Our support demonstrates ADVISO PARTNERS' expertise in working alongside regional SMEs and ETIs on primary transactions”.