Estee Lauder Purchases Stake in Ayurvedic Company

NEW YORK—The Estee Lauder Companies have purchased a minority stake in a privately held Indian company that manufactures, markets and sells beauty products under the Forest Essentials brand, which are based on Ayurvedic formulations.

“Forest Essentials gives us a stronger presence in the rapidly expanding prestige beauty business in India,” said William P. Lauder, chief executive officer, The Estee Lauder Companies. “We have seen how more and more consumers around the world are interested in beauty products with a natural heritage. This agreement will help us expand our growing expertise and competitiveness in the natural products arena while Forest Essentials will benefit from our long history of successful brand management and global expansion.”

Founded in 2000, Forest Essentials uses essential oils and natural plan extracts with more than 100 SKUs sold in the company’s seven freestanding stores and in hotels and spas across India. The products are based on age-old treatments from Ayurvedic gascriptures, updated with innovative textures and scents.

“We are delighted to gain The Eastee Lauder Companies’ brand-building and marketing expertise, which will help take Forest Essentials to the next level, said Mira Kulkarni, chief executive officer, Forest Essentials. “We look forward to expanding our unique brand, which harnesses an age-old holistic philosophy to create a new beauty ideal.

The Estee Lauder Companies have been selling products in India since July 2005 with the opening of a freestanding MAC store; it also sells six brands in India, including MAC Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Aramis, Clinique and Estee Lauder.

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