Azelis Buys Ross Organic

Azelis Americas, part of the Azelis Group, has acquired Ross Organic, a specialty distributor into the personal care and home care/industrial cleaning markets located in Santa Fe, CA.  A purchase price was not disclosed.


With this move, Azelis Americas increases its resources and commitment to these specialty growth markets in the Western US. In keeping with Azelis Americas’  “go to market strategy,” the Ross Organic brand will remain, along with the people servicing the innovative western personal care market.


“We are delighted about this acquisition. Ross Organic shares the same values that are central to Azelis: to be the best service provider in the industry,” said Hans-Joachim Müller, Azelis Group CEO. “There is an excellent cultural fit between the companies which will result in enhanced service to both our customers and principals. I would like to thank our US team for their efforts in securing this important deal and am delighted that our successful growth strategy is being supported by funds advised by Apax Partners, our major shareholders.”


According to Frank Bergonzi, CEO and president of Azelis America, one of the pillars of Azelis' personal care strategy has been to focus on increasing the company's US footprint in the personal care space. 


“The DeWolf acquisition in early 2014 has been a resounding success, and we feel similarly positive about the addition of Ross Organic,” said Bergonzi. “They are a proven leader in the sales and marketing of specialty products and have the technical resources and lab facilities to be successful, which are also key elements to our value proposition.”


According to Bergonzi this acquisition affords Azelis the extended reach and history of sustainable organic growth in a strategically important market segment.


“It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we join Azelis Americas, the leading specialty chemical distributor in North America. We are confident that this move will further strengthen Ross Organic’s customer and supplier capabilities, as well as ensure we remain the preeminent personal care distributor in the Western US,” says Stephanie Ross Leshney, co-owner and president of Ross Organic. “Becoming part of Azelis is a huge step for the Ross family as we and our employees will celebrate our 30th year in business in 2017.  We look forward to celebrating this milestone, and many more, with our new partners and the Azelis family.”


Tim Dooling, president of personal care and home care and industrial cleaning market segments, Azelis Americas noted that Ross Organic represents the best in class, in both its technical expertise and innovative marketing engine.


“This investment demonstrates to both our suppliers and customers that Azelis Americas is committed to the personal care and homecare and industrial cleaning markets,” said  Dooling. “We will maintain all of their technical selling capabilities and do not plan to make any significant changes.” 


Ross-Leshney will continue to lead the team, and there will be no disruption in services to customers or principals. 


“We value the team Stephanie has put together and the Ross Organic name in the industry,”  said Dooling.