Reckitt Benckiser to buy Durex owner

Cillit Bang owner Reckitt Benckiser (RB) has bought SSL International, the owner of the Durex and Scholl brands, in a deal worth £2.5bn.

The FMCG manufacturer, which also owns the Nurofen, Vanish and Lemsip brands, says the deal will grow its health and personal care business by adding two “powerbrands.”

RB says condom brand Durex and footcare brand Scholl add “good further growth potential” to its current portfolio of 19 powerbrands.

Bart Becht, RB chief executive, says: “The acquisition of SSL will provide a step change to Reckitt Benckiser’s global health and personal care business, which has been a key driver of Reckitt Benckiser’s net revenue growth and profit progression.”

The firm anticipates that the acquisition will increase its health & personal care net revenues by over 36% to approximately £2.8bn.

Last week RB combined its household, personal care and healthcare marketing teams together under one marketing director, Stefan Gaa.

Former personal care marketing director Phil Thomas has also been promoted to global category director for the global surface care division.

SSL brands also include Mister Baby, Sauber and Paramol.