Yahoo Finance Sodalis Group Acquires Majority Stake in Germany’s Artdeco Group
MILAN — Sodalis Group is continuing its streak of acquisitions, securing a majority stake in German beauty company Artdeco Group.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but it is understood that the Italian health, beauty and personal care company will acquire a more than 80 percent take in the firm. The transaction is expected to be finalized by early June at the latest, after having obtained the necessary clearance by the antitrust authorities.
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Founded in 1985 by Helmut Baurecht, Artdeco Group includes three brands: its namesake flagship makeup label Artdeco, Make up Factory and Anny. The first is a leading name in the German selective makeup market thanks to its affordable positioning and wide product portfolio. According to the company, more than 90 percent of all German perfumeries and department stores carry the range and the brand accounts for 84 percent of the group’s total sales, which in 2023 were up 16 percent year-over-year to 72 million euros.
With Make up Factory offering professional makeup and Anny operating in the nail category, Artdeco Group’s international footprint encompasses perfumeries, cosmetic institutes, spas and departments stores in more than 60 countries. The Munich-based firm employs 680 people and operates a proprietary production site for assembly of the products as well as logistic warehouses.
Sodalis’ acquisition of the firm builds on its strong focus on Germany, where it is already active with an owned affiliate. As reported, in 2021, Sodalis Group acquired Lornamead in Germany — as well as the Brisk, Rapid White and Triple Dry brands in the U.K. — from China-based Meiyume. With that move, Sodalis established its first subsidiary in the German personal care market, in addition to expanding its business in the U.K.
Sodalis Group’s chief executive officer Fabio Granata said the deal “allows [Sodalis] to grow in Germany, one of the biggest European beauty markets, with a really outstanding and well-performing company, highly recognized for its strong heritage and best-in-class capabilities in the makeup industry.”
“I have built up the Artdeco group in the past 39 years to become a German market leader with a strong international presence,” said Baurecht, adding to “have found a strong partner in Sodalis, to further accelerate our growth and foster the continuing international development of our brands.”
“A partner who shares our passion for uncompromising quality and continuous innovation, which is reflected in our products, Sodalis has a proven track record in building and expanding brands, combining a dynamic and entrepreneurial mindset with the long-term vision of a family business,” said Baurecht.
The move also aims to strengthen Sodalis’ presence in the makeup market, adding to its acquisition of Deborah Group in 2018 and to brands such as BioNike and Goovi, a buzzy digital-native label founded by Swiss TV personality Michelle Hunziker and acquired by Sodalis in 2022.
Sodalis Group has completed 20 acquisitions in the last 20 years and now operates a portfolio that includes Biopoint, Leocrema, Dermolab, Tesori D’Oriente, Noxzema and Brelil, among others.
Headquartered in Lodi Vecchio, Sodalis Group totaled 690 million euros in 2023 and employs 1,165 people across its four research laboratories, four production sites in Italy and France and the additional subsidiaries in Germany, Portugal and Spain.
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