01.04.13
The Japanese economy has been in a funk for decades. A painful fact that's clear to some of the biggest household and personal products companies in the world, such as Shiseido, Kanebo, Kao and Lion. But one company, Pola Orbis Holdings Inc., is determined to find growth beyond its borders via acquisitions. In recent years, the company acquired Australia’s Jurlique Group for about $314 million, and Chicago-based H20 Plus for $91 million.
Now, Pola executives want more. President Satoshi Suzuki told Women's Wear Daily he is interested in acquiring new beauty brands with a strong international brand image that would appeal to consumers in Asia.
Suzuki better get moving.Japan’s population is getting smaller and older. In 2011, there were 127.8 million people in the country and, by 2050, that number is expected to drop to 97 million. The number of Japanese aged 65 and older is expected to rise from 23.3 million last year to 38.8 million in 2050, while the total population shrinks. Moreover, Japan’s economy has officially slipped into a recession. Recently, the country’s Cabinet Office revised its second-quarter gross domestic product figures downward to reflect a drop. Third-quarter GDP slid 3.5%.
With numbers like that, it's enough to make a CEO turn gray overnight.
Now, Pola executives want more. President Satoshi Suzuki told Women's Wear Daily he is interested in acquiring new beauty brands with a strong international brand image that would appeal to consumers in Asia.
Suzuki better get moving.Japan’s population is getting smaller and older. In 2011, there were 127.8 million people in the country and, by 2050, that number is expected to drop to 97 million. The number of Japanese aged 65 and older is expected to rise from 23.3 million last year to 38.8 million in 2050, while the total population shrinks. Moreover, Japan’s economy has officially slipped into a recession. Recently, the country’s Cabinet Office revised its second-quarter gross domestic product figures downward to reflect a drop. Third-quarter GDP slid 3.5%.
With numbers like that, it's enough to make a CEO turn gray overnight.