October 12, 2018
ADA International is Europe’s leading manufacturer of high-quality hotel cosmetics.
Willkie client Ardian, a leading independent private investment company, announced it will sell ADA International to Moonlake Capital, an Austria-based investment firm. ADA International is Europe’s leading manufacturer of high-quality hotel cosmetics.
Ardian acquired ADA in 2014 from the Carlyle Group. Since then, the business has been expanded via a buy-and-build strategy through acquisitions in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Malaysia and other markets. Under Ardian's ownership, sales have more than doubled to over €110 million. The customer base has grown from about 15,000 to over 25,000 hotels. Willkie previously advised Ardian on its acquisition of ADA International in 2014.
The company's core business is the production and sale of high-quality personal care products such as shampoo, shower gel, soap, body lotion and accessories for the hotel industry. In addition to its own established brands such as Naturals, Pure Herbs and Hydro Basics, ADA International's product range also includes hotel cosmetic products from leading international brands such as Chopard and Bulgari. ADA International's customer base ranges from independent hotels to international hotel chains in the three, four and five star segment. In addition to the hotel industry, ADA International also serves cruise ships and airlines.
The Willkie team included partners Dr. Maximilian Schwab, Jan Wilms, Mario Schmidt and Susanne Zuehlke, national partners Dr. Bettina Bokeloh, and associate Martin Waskowski.
