MCP Acquires Stake in Klapp Cosmetics

MCP acquires majority holding in Hessian family-run enterprise Klapp Cosmetics.

– Growth and new sales markets planned abroad
– Founder Gerhard Klapp retains stake and switches to the group’s Advisory Board
– Production to be ramped up at the Hessisch Lichtenau site from 2020
– The 200-or-so jobs will be retained

Hessisch-Lichtenau, 11 May 2020 – Growth investor Mandarin Capital Partners (MCP) based in Frankfurt am Main, Milan and Shanghai is acquiring a majority holding in Klapp Cosmetics in the course of regulating the company’s corporate succession. Klapp Cosmetics, which is based in Hessisch Lichtenau not far from Kassel, is a family-run enterprise with 40 years’ tradition, and a well established institute in the beauty market. The company stands for high-quality, professional skincare, outstanding research & development competence, and excellent products “Made in Germany”. More than 35,000 cosmetics institutes and premium hotels place their trust in Klapp Cosmetics in over 60 countries worldwide.
MCP was formed 2007 as an independent finance partner for European SMEs seeking growth capital and an international network to improve their expansion possibilities on international markets – especially in Asia. International and German institutional investors (pension funds, banks, family offices and insurance companies) such as HQ Capital, Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo, the Liechtenstein bank LGT, HarbourVest Partners and others are behind MCP. MCP has representative offices in Germany, Italy and Asia, thereby offering a unique, differentiated and proven product and service range for SME entrepreneurs on the path to international growth.
MCP will support Klapp Cosmetics over the long-term, offering it consulting and expertise for its growth plans, especially for tapping new sales markets abroad.
Production is to be ramped up from 2020 and all of the 200 jobs at the company’s head office and in sales will be retained. MCP intends to invest in new jobs and allocate funds for driving strong international growth. The management team, centring on the longstanding CEO Reiner Engert, will continue to run the operative business. Company founder and former owner, Gerhard Klapp, will retain a stake in the business and join the newly formed Advisory Board; in this way, he will be able to continue supporting the firm with his cosmetics-industry experience and expertise.
How Klapp Cosmetics intends to grow is already clearly defined: “Our cooperation with cosmetics institutes is, and will remain, our core business,” says CEO, Reiner Engert. “This is precisely where we will invest heavily to offer our customers perceivable added value. We also see other growth potential besides this: we want to drive out international expansion – in its capacity as a leading innovator for cosmetics products, the Klapp Cosmetics brand is
predestined for further expansion. ‘Made in Germany’ is an important argument, especially on international markets. This will help strengthen our company’s long-term competitiveness.”
Klapp Cosmetics also sees opportunities in the professional cosmetics sector for buying manufacturers with similar or complementary product portfolios. “MCP is the perfect partner for us, thanks to its strong presence in Italy and Asia,” adds company founder, Gerhard Klapp.
Gerhard Klapp was advised by JB Business Consulting, based in Berlin and Münster, MCP by Clairfield International in Frankfurt am Main.