Henkel AG has submitted a takeover offer for Olaplex Holdings Inc, according to people with knowledge of the matter, after the shampoo maker lost over 90 percent of its value since its initial public offering. The stock rose more than 36 percent.
Olaplex and Dusseldorf, Germany-based Henkel are in talks about a potential deal that could come together within weeks, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information. Private equity firm Advent is Olaplex’s largest shareholder, with close to 75 percent ownership, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
No final decision has been made and the talks could end without a deal, the people said. Representatives for Advent and Henkel declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Olaplex didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Olaplex was up 25 percent to $1.69 at 2:45 p.m. in New York trading Wednesday, giving the company a market value of about $1.1 billion. It was worth $16 billion when it went public in 2021.
Olaplex, which makes shampoo and other hair products, was among a group of capital markets darlings such as sneaker maker On Holding AG and coffee chain Dutch Bros Inc. that went public at peak valuations.
Henkel manufactures chemicals for industrial and commercial goods and is the owner of hair-product brands including Schwarzkopf, its website shows.
Advent bought Olaplex in 2019 without disclosing terms, according to a statement at the time. Its products are sold to individuals consumers and are also used in professional hair salons.
By Dinesh Nair, Ryan Gould, Michelle F. Davis, and Crystal Tse
Learn more:
The Architect of Olaplex’s Turnaround
Chief executive Amanda Baldwin has been tasked with course-correcting the embattled haircare brand. Using her marketing muscle, she hopes to rebuild the bond Olaplex once shared with beauty consumers and investors alike.
