April 2011   Acquisition of Witch

Lornamead strengthens its presence in the UK’s medicated skincare category

The Lornamead Group (“Lornamead” or “The Group”), a UK based leading manufacturer and marketer of home and personal care products, today announced that it has acquired Witch from E.C. DeWitt & Company Limited (“DeWitt”). The acquisition follows Lornamead holding the global license for the brand since April 2009.  The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Witch, the naturally medicated skincare brand, is recognised for its efficacious skincare products that contain pure witch hazel extract from the witch hazel plant, a natural astringent and anti-flammatory with renowned medicinal qualities. While under the license of Lornamead, the brand has achieved a unique position in the medicated skincare category with the launch of the only naturally inspired anti-blemish cosmetics range in January 2011. Witch is distributed through multiple retailers in the UK, including Boots, Superdrug, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. Lornamead has acquired the assets, rights and inventory to all Witch products globally.

This acquisition significantly strengthens the group’s presence in the UK medicated skincare sector. Commenting on this acquisition, Mike Jatania, Chief Executive of Lornamead says:

“Since we have licensed Witch in 2009 we have seen strong growth in the brand, most recently achieved through the launch of our innovative anti-blemish cosmetics range. Now that we can bring Witch in our portfolio of owned brands we believe that our continued investment in this brand and growth of its distribution channels in the UK and abroad will considerably increase our share of the medicated skincare category.”

Lornamead manufactures and markets Home and Personal Care brands including Vosene, Yardley, Lypsyl lip balm and Finesse hair care.  The group focuses on acquiring and investing in heritage brands in order to maximise their growth potential.