Azelis has acquired the distribution activities of MK Ingredients & Specialties and SSD Industries (combined ”MK”) in India, noting that India has one of the largest economies and is the second most populous country in the world.

The acquisition is said to bring improved product offering and customer reach to Azelis, enabling the company to grow its Food & Health business, a strategic focus area in India. The transaction is, says the company, consistent with Azelis’ corporate strategy of organic growth complemented by strategic acquisitions.

MK’s well-equipped laboratory and highly trained staff are consistent with Azelis’ focus on innovation and product development

The transaction sees Azelis acquire 100% of MKs distribution activities. The Indian distributor is a family owned company, whose employees and management will join Azelis. MK is said to be well respected in the local market and to have strong relationships with its customers and principals. It covers food applications such as confectionery, bakery and dairy. Non-food segments include paints and coatings as well as chemicals for industrial markets. Azelis will also take over MK’s food laboratory.

Laurent Nataf, CEO and President Azelis Asia Pacific, said: “MK and Azelis India have a solid and highly compatible supplier mix and this acquisition will help increase the value Azelis can bring to our customers and principals. It will provide us with an improved product offering and customer reach, in particular within the food industry. MK Ingredients won an award for best APAC distributor in 2016 and for exceptional business growth in 2018. This clearly demonstrates the great partnerships they have with principals, a value which is shared by Azelis.”

Aparna Khurana, Managing Director Azelis India, said: “In 2018, Azelis opened three application laboratories in India, servicing the Personal Care, Food and CASE markets. Combining the Azelis food lab with MK’s modern and fully equipped food lab will complement our technical expertise, especially in the dairy and bakery sectors.”

Azelis’ focus on application development and innovation is an important part of its ongoing success, the company says, and is renowned for its innovative product formulations across the regions in which it operates, winning a number of outstanding industry awards.

Dipan Dalal, Managing Partner at MK Ingredients, concludes: “There is an excellent strategic fit and we are excited by the opportunity we now have for further growth in this market. We will benefit from Azelis’ speciality focus and connectivity with blue chip principals on a global level, whilst the new setup will offer a much wider product portfolio and know-how to our customers. Furthermore, Azelis has a well-established operating platform and logistics expertise which will accelerate our service efficiency.”