Unilever Opens Deodorant Factory in Mexico

Unilever Opens Deodorant Factory in Mexico

• MEXICO: Unilever has opened a deodorant factory in Morelos, Mexico. According to the company, the factory will accelerate growth in North and Central America—doubling the national production of deodorants, and will supply markets in Mexico, the US, Canada, Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. The facility has its own solar energy production, water collection and recycling systems, and will be a model of sustainable practices for future plants built elsewhere, the firm said.

With an initial investment of €100 million over a three-year period, the plant has the potential to produce more than half a billion units of aerosol-based products per year, the company said.

President Felipe Calderon opened the new facility together with Unilever CEO Paul Polman.

Sanofi Sells Dermik Derm Business to Valeant

• CANADA: Sanofi has sold its Dermik dermatology unit to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International in a $425 million deal.

Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Valeant is a pharmaceutical company that also sells consumer and OTC products, including Hissyfit, an anti-aging skin care line, Dr. LeWinn’s Private Formula, a premium skin care line, and Revitanail nail strengtheners (Renunail in the US and UK). Its stable also includes Private Formula International Holdings Pty Limited, a skin care company in Australia and New Zealand and Reef skin care in Australia.

Dermik has a significant presence in the medical dermatology market in the US and Canada. Its portfolio includes therapeutic and aesthetic dermatology brands such as BenzaClin for acne and Sculptra, an injectable for facial wrinkles.

The transaction includes Dermik assets, which consist of an aesthetic and therapeutic business in the USand Canada, as well as an aesthetic business around the world with sales of $206 million in 2010.
Also included is Sanofi’s Laval, Canada site, which includes Dermik’s manufacturing facility.

Sanofi’s Canadian affiliate, Sanofi-Aventis Canada, will maintain its operations in greater Montreal.

Sk:n Health Clinic Expands Acne Care Offerings

• UNITED KINGDOM: A trio of new anti-blemish products have been launched by sk:n, the UK skin health clinic. The products are being stocked at the 37 sk:n clinics and larger Boots Chemist shops across the UK.

The collection is split into five treatment areas: cleansing and exfoliating, anti-aging, anti-blemish, corrective, and repair and protect and will form part of Boots’ dermatological offering which currently features brands including Vichy and Avene.

Thee products include Blemish Control Lotion for when spots are inflamed; Intense Spot Lotion, a pocket sized dispenser to treat blemishes on the go; and Maintenance Serum for when spots are under control.

With more than 36 clinics nationwide, sk:n was stablished in 1990.

New Zealand’s TrilogySkincare Find US Distributor

• NEW ZEALAND: Natural beauty retailer Beautorium announced an agreement to be the US distributor for Trilogy, a New Zealand-based natural skin care brand.

Prior to the deal, Trilogy had previously handled the US distribution of its products internally.

P&G Files Suit Against Luhns

• GERMANY: The Procter & Gamble Company has filed a lawsuit against Luhns GmbH, a private-label manufacturer and distributor of hand dishwash liquids.

Filed in the District Court of Düsseldorf, Germany, the lawsuit alleges that Luhns is violating P&G’s intellectual property by manufacturing and selling certain Magnum private label hand dish wash detergents to a retailer in the UK and Northern Ireland.

According to P&G, Luhns’ dish detergent products, specifically the bottle shape and its overall product appearance, infringe P&G’s European Community Design Rights relating to its Fairy Hand Dish Washing liquids.

The lawsuit seeks to stop Luhns from violating P&G’s intellectual property and selling the infringing products.

“P&G has made significant investments in the innovations behind our Fairy hand dishwashing liquids. We take the intellectual property rights protecting these innovations very seriously.” said Deborah P. Majoras, chief legal officer, The Procter & Gamble Company. “By filing a lawsuit against Luhns we are taking steps to protect this investment, ensuring that consumers are not being confused.”

Jean Patou Finds New Home At Designer Parfums

• UNITED KINGDOM: Designer Parfums has completed its acquisition of the Jean Patou business from P&G Prestige. The move is in line with Designer Parfums’ global strategy to develop and distribute iconic luxury fragrances and maximize the potential marketing opportunities across a wider marketplace, according to the company.

“We will re-affirm the Jean Patou heritage and credentials across our global markets and reinforce its position as one of the world’s leading fragrance houses,” said Designer Parfums’ managing director Dilesh Mehta.

Designer Parfums, part of the Shaneel Enterprises Group, currently owns or licenses Agent Provocateur, Jean Louis Scherrer, Aigner Parfums and Worth.