DKSH launches Alpecin in Hong Kong

HONG KONG –  DKSH's Business Unit Healthcare, the leading Market Expansion Services provider for healthcare companies seeking to grow their business in Asia, has signed an agreement with Dr. Wolff to provide registration, importation, marketing, sales, distribution, logistics and collection services for its famous hair brand Alpecin in Hong Kong.

Alpecin will be exclusively sold in all Mannings stores, a renowned chain of personal health and beauty retailers in Hong Kong, starting in July 2013. DKSH Hong Kong will be responsible for the launch and all its marketing and sales activities including in-store booking, television commercial rollout and promotion.

"We have chosen DKSH Healthcare as the partner for our market entry in Hong Kong because of its excellent knowledge of the local consumer health market, its in-depth expertise in marketing and sales, as well as its proven track record in Market Expansion Services," said Eduard Dorrenberg, managing director of the Dr. Wolff-Group.

Founded in1905 by the pharmacist Dr. August Wolff, the Bielefeld, Germany-based family company is one of the best known in the German cosmetic and pharmaceutical sector today. The business is characterised by intensive research and close cooperation with dermatological divisions of university clinics. The company concentrates on products which embody verifiable advantages for consumers.

"We are glad to partner with Dr. Wolff  and help the company enter Hong Kong with our Market Expansion Services," said Richard Holloway, vice president, DKSH Healthcare, Hong Kong. "With the launch of Alpecin in Hong Kong, we are providing a new category of technologically proven hair loss products to the mass market. The patented skin activator and technology-driven caffeine complex in its hair energizing products make Alpecin a strong differentiator in the local market. We look forward to making an impact in the consumer health market with substantial growth and penetration."

Alpecin has been the leading brand in Germany for hair loss and hair growth since the 1930s. Today Alpecin is number 1 also in Great Britain, Switzerland and Austria.

The new partnership will further strengthen DKSH's market position in the consumer health market in Hong Kong while contributing incrementally to the Group's overall earnings and profitability over time.