Actis Invests US$53m in Brazilian Cleaning Products Group Gtex

SAO PAULO, November 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Actis, a global emerging markets private equity specialist, has invested US$53m in Gtex, a cleaning products company based in Brazil, whose stable of brands include, Urca, UFE and Amazon. Following this investment, Actis will initiate a comprehensive growth plan for Gtex in the Brazilian market to include new product lines, geographical expansion, and acquisitions.

Gtex holds a large portfolio of cleaning products, with a strong presence in segments including, laundry soap, fabric softeners, disinfectants, bar soaps, multi-use cleaners and steel wool; its washing powder Amazon H20, is one of the first eco-friendly brands in Brazil.

Gtex has over 1,000 employees and a strong geographical footprint, with five production facilities located in the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Maranhao, Pernambuco and Mato Grosso.

Brazil is the fourth largest market in the world for cleaning products with a US$6bn industry. This growing sector is being driven by the arrival of an ever greater number of consumers into the market - it is estimated that around 20 million Brazilians have entered the middle class over the last five years. Better distribution income and greater social mobility means the consumption of cleaning products is expected to experience strong growth over the next few years.

Neiva and Jose Santos, the entrepreneurs who founded the company, will keep a stake and continue their involvement in the company's operations. "This partnership with Actis will allow Gtex to launch new product lines within the existing portfolio of brands; becoming one of the leading companies in the market", said Jose Santos.

Chu Kong, Co-Head of Actis in Latin America, said, "Actis's experience in the consumer and retail sector, and our long term investment approach, will safeguard the success of Gtex, supporting its sustained growth. The expansion plan will be aggressive and will include innovative products lines, geographical expansion and acquisitions that will complement the Gtex portfolio."

Paul Fletcher, Senior Partner at Actis, said, "This is Actis's second deal in Brazil in the last two months and is indicative of the strength of Actis's commitment to Brazil and the opportunities we see there."

Actis's investment in Gtex is funded from the US$2.9 billion fund, Actis Emerging Markets 3. Consumer is a key sector for Actis which invested US$58m in Brazilian supermarket chain, Companhia Sulamericana de Distribuicao ('CSD') in September 2010.

About Actis

Actis is a leading private equity investor in the emerging markets with a growing portfolio of investments in Asia, Africa and Latin America; it currently has US$4.7bn funds under management. Actis has over 100 investment professionals on the ground in nine offices worldwide.

Actis is committed to promoting the sustainable growth of the private sector in the emerging markets. Our aim is to ensure that the capital we raise and manage makes a lasting, tangible and positive difference in the countries in which we operate by creating opportunities for the companies in which we invest, as well as their stakeholders.

http;//www.act.is

About Gtex

Gtex is a holding company that hosts a portfolio of leading cleaning product brands including, Urca, UFE, Ruth, RIO and Amazon H2O. Gtex's main products are laundry soap, softeners, disinfectants, multi-use cleaners, coconut and bar soaps and steel wool. Gtex products are available across Brazil. The company has a strong geographical footprint, with five production facilities located in the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Maranhao, Pernambuco and Mato Grosso.

    For further information please contact

    Sao Paulo, Brazil
    Vanessa Godoy
    Printec Comunicacao
    +55-11-5182-1806
    vanessa.godoy@printeccomunicacao.com.br

    London, UK
    Claire Davies
    Actis
    +44(0)207-234-5115
    cdavies@act.is

SOURCE Actis LLP