P&G sells Romanian professional haircare business to Interbrands

Interbrands, Romania's largest distribution company has agreed to handle the distribution operations of Salon Profesional products in Romania, held by Procter & Gamble and buy Wella professional haircare products business. The deal will be subject to antitrust scrutiny, and a final decision is due to be made public over the next few months. The sum has not been disclosed. Marcel Muresan, incumbent Wella Romania director and all Salon Professional employees will remain in their posts.

The brand and services offer for hair salons will remain unchanged, namely all P&G professional hair care products lineup, Wella Professionals, System Professional and Londa Professional.

"We are delighted to work in hair salons field and we hope for a long-term fruitful collaboration", said Rand Sheriff , CEO Interbrands.

Procter&Gamble's consumer products business in Romania recorded aggregate revenues of 1.96 billion lei (Euro 531 million) in 2008, down 4.1% from 553.2 million a year earlier. Procter & Gamble Romania markets brands such as Ariel, Tide, Bonux, Ace, Lenor, Mr. Proper, Fairy, Pantene Pro-V, Head & Shoulders, Safeguard, Herbal Essences, Wash&Go, Blend-a-med, Camay, Always, Alldays, Discreet, Pampers, Londa (Londa Color, Londa Trends), Gillette, Braun, Duracell and Oral-B. Interbrands entered Romanian market in 1993 and it handles the distribution operations of Cadbury, Vodafone, Nestle and Henkel.