INGLOT takes on private equity partner Avallon MBO to fund global expansion

INGLOT, one of Poland's best-known beauty brands, has brought in private equity firm Avallon MBO as a strategic partner to back its next phase of growth and push further into international markets.

The Polish makeup and skincare company, which has traded for more than four decades and now operates in close to 90 countries, says the partnership is built around expansion rather than a change of direction. INGLOT's priorities under the deal are continued international growth, development of its product range, and further investment in e-commerce and omnichannel retail, with Poland remaining one of its most important markets.

The brand has been at pains to stress continuity. The Inglot family stays closely involved in ownership and management, and the company points to its Polish heritage, in-house manufacturing and creative independence as the foundations it intends to keep intact through the transition.

"I remain actively involved in the management of the company and will continue to shape its future as CEO and shareholder," said Grzegorz Inglot, CEO of INGLOT. "The Inglot family will also continue to play an important role in both the ownership and governance of the company. My sister, Milena Inglot, will remain a member of the Board of Directors, while our father, Zbigniew Inglot, will represent the family on the Supervisory Board. Existing family shareholders, Elżbieta Inglot and Barbara Inglot, will also continue in their expert roles and remain part of the company's shareholder structure."

The move comes as the global beauty market continues its run as one of the fastest-growing consumer sectors, with its value projected to pass 800 billion US dollars by 2030. INGLOT frames its approach around a "beauty inspired by science" philosophy, developing products that sit between makeup and skincare, and points to recognisable lines such as the INGLOT LAB Milky Toning Face Mist, Duraline and AMC Eyeliner Gel 77 as proof of its standing with both consumers and professional makeup artists. INGLOT is fully cruelty-free, with more than 70 per cent of its portfolio certified vegan and halal, and around 98 per cent of its products made in Europe. Some 95 per cent are produced at the company's own facilities in Poland under Good Manufacturing Practice standards, an unusually high degree of in-house control for a brand of its global reach.

Avallon MBO is an independent Polish private equity firm that specialises in management buyouts, ownership succession and growth capital. It describes itself as a pioneer of the management buyout market in Central and Eastern Europe, having worked with business owners and management teams for more than 25 years. Funds managed by Avallon have taken part in over 1,500 transactions, with institutional investors entrusting the firm with 316 million euros in capital.

The transaction is expected to complete once the necessary regulatory approvals are in place, which the company anticipates after the summer.