Givaudan says that the acquisition will serve as part of its 2020 strategy to expand it expand its already extensive fragrance and aromatherapy business.
But equally, it will also give the company and all-important greater foothold in the natural fragrance business, an area that France'based Albert Vielle has specific expertise in.
Aromatic plants and speciality naturals
The fragrance specialists has grown its business by focusing on deriving its products from aromatic plants, and specialises in 100% essential oils and speciality natural ingredients.
The small business is based in the world-renowned Grasse area, in the South of France, where it employs 50 people and has a history dating back to 1920.
It also has a manufacturing facility in Spain, while its products are sold worldwide through a network of distributors.
Sourcing fragrance materials worldwide
While the Grasse region is an obvious source for raw materials, the company also has an extensive network of growers worldwide to source more exotic and unusual raw materials for fragrances.
“Acquiring Albert Vieille will fit nicely with our 2020 strategy to enrich Givaudan’s palette with novel in-house natural ingredients that our perfumers will use to offer best quality and creative solutions to our customers," said Gilles Andrier, CEO of Givaudan.
"This acquisition will also allow us to enter the market of essential oils for aromatherapy, which will contribute to our 2020 strategy for ‘health and well-being’. It is another step in reinforcing our presence in Grasse, where the perfumery know-how has recently been awarded World Heritage Status by UNESCO.”