Knowlton Development Corporation (KDC/One) has acquired Cosmetic Laboratories of America (CLA), an expert in the development, formulation and supply of personal care and beauty products based in Chatsworth, California.
 
This acquisition strengthens KDC/One leadership on the West Coast in delivering creative design, innovation-driven research, custom development and manufacturing to the prestige beauty segment, with a particular focus on skincare, haircare and color cosmetics for emerging indie brands.
 
Recent Growth
 
Following the company’s recent integration of Benchmark Laboratories and merger with HCT Group – both of which operate facilities in the region – and together with KDC/One’s existing Thibiant and Thibiant Naturals plants, the strategic acquisition of CLA creates the largest regional innovation hub and a one-stop solution for West Coast customers. The close proximity of these facilities creates significant opportunities for collaboration, future investment and increased scale for growth, while also providing CLA customers with access to KDC/One’s worldwide network.
 
Established in 2002, KDC/One has 18 facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. In the past year, the company has nearly doubled in size, expanding its technology base and expertise. Most recently, KDC/One announced its acquisition of Zobele Group, further enhancing its global platform across beauty, personal care and household products.
 
Enhancing Creative Offerings
 
For nearly 50 years, CLA has provided personal care and beauty products to its customers across the skin care, hair care, naturals, over-the-counter, body care and fragrance segments from its manufacturing and warehousing facilities in Chatsworth. Today, CLA has approximately 350 employees and serves a broad base of customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to well-known health, beauty, cosmetic and fragrance brands, as well as specialized health and beauty aid companies.
 
“CLA has been a premier early formulation developer for decades, as evidenced by the number of large, flagship beauty products the company has developed and launched over the years,” said Nicholas Whitley, CEO of KDC/One. “With an exceptional leadership team, a reputation for speed-to-market and best-in-class assets producing prestige skin and hair care products, CLA is the ideal partner for KDC/One as we look to invest in and solidify our West Coast footprint, further enhance our creative, cutting-edge offerings and scale our end-to-end capabilities in the region.”
 
“We are excited to join the KDC/One family and work alongside its world class team to provide our valued customers with an expanded suite of offerings as part of a growing global platform,” said Oscar Saldarriaga, general manager of CLA. “Over the years, CLA has built a platform recognized for innovation, quality and reliability. With KDC/One’s unmatched track record of innovation and local and global scale, I am confident that together we will achieve our goal of cementing our position as the custom developer and manufacturer of choice on the West Coast.”
 
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.