Kao Group strengthens base of operations in Europe; Expansio

Kao, a world-leading manufacturer of haircare, cosmetic and household products generating global sales of around EUR 11 billion, is extending its Darmstadt headquarters into the corporations largest European site. This news was announced by Karin Overbeck, President Kao Germany, at a press conference with the Mayor of Darmstadt Jochen Partsch.

"In future Darmstadt will be the place where we manage our successful Goldwell and KMS California hair professional brands and the location of development activities for our John Frieda and Guhl hair cosmetics brands", said Karin Overbeck and added that Kaos European functions will also be based in Darmstadt in the future. Darmstadt will continue to be the headquarters of Kao Salon Sector which it has been since 1989. "The decision in favor of Darmstadt is part of Kaos international growth strategy", said Karin Overbeck. Construction of a new company headquarters in Darmstadt will commence in the fall of 2012.

"As Mayor and Economic Affairs Officer, I expressly welcome Kaos decision to build its European headquarters in Eberstadt. It is a clear sign of the corporations commitment to the cosmetics city of Darmstadt and it offers the opportunity of further growth," said Jochen Partsch, Mayor of Darmstadt.

Now a four-storey headquarters building will be constructed on Pfungstadter Strasse in Darmstadt-Eberstadt. The 4,000 square meters of office space there will house 330 staff. EUR 15 million is being invested in the project and the general planner is Darmstadt-based Georg Schmidt Architects.

Designed as an air-conditioned, energy-saving building, the headquarters will be ready for occupation at the end of 2013. In addition to Kaos current 250 administrative staff, it will also house a new Goldwell and KMS California Academy.

In conjunction with the Kao Research & Development departments and the production facility, Darmstadt will be the largest Kao site in Europe.

Kao has promoted the integration of management of a range of beauty care products businesses across North America and Europe since January 2012 by a broad-based approach to unification of management structures in each country. The Kao Group aims to accelerate global growth by better leveraging its combined resources across the Group.