Symrise : Incorporates Subsidiary in Nigeria and Strengthens Presence in the African Market

October 15, 2014

Symrise has launched a subsidiary in Lagos, Nigeria. With this move, it is strengthening its presence in Africa. The location will include sales and marketing offices as well as application laboratories. Symrise will use the market insights from its presence in the area to serve both local and multinational customers with products specifically tailored for the West African market.

Symrise can look back on a long history in the Nigerian market. Both segments, Scent & Care and Flavor & Nutrition, have been active throughout the whole country for nearly 30 years. During that time, Symrise has gathered a deep understanding of local markets by continuously sending fragrance and flavor experts to Nigeria. It has also built long-term relationships with customers. Establishing its own company in Nigeria is thus a logical step.

On October 15, 2014, Symrise officially launched its legal entity in Lagos. Local and international dignitaries and business representatives attended the ceremony. Mr. Michael Derus, the General Consul, represented the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany. The South African Consul General, Ambassador Mokgethi Samuel Monaisa, also attended the ceremony. Members of the Symrise Executive Board were present as well.

"With about 175 million inhabitants, abundant mineral and national resources, Nigeria has the potential to become one of the top 10 economies in the world. Already today, the country is Africa's largest economy and one of the fastest growing on the continent and seen as gateway to West Africa," said Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG, at the opening ceremony in Lagos. "Symrise has also successfully grown its representation in Nigeria for over three decades through our longstanding agent Allied Technol Systems Ltd. Now, we have decided to intensify our presence and commitment and to establish our own legal entity, while continuing to be supported by and collaborate with Allied Technol. Symrise is known as a company with a long-term set of goals. I am sure that today's opening is just the first step of our involvement here in Lagos."

Symrise has incorporated its subsidiary under the name Nigeria LTD. It will be situated in a business park in the Ikeja suburb of Lagos State, Nigeria. The facilities will host both segments Scent & Care, including Life Essentials, as well as Flavor & Nutrition. They will serve both local and multinational customers that are present in the West African market. Activities will range from sales and marketing to application laboratories to develop flavors and fragrances specifically tailored for the local market.

With its local infrastructure, Symrise will be able to offer customers closer support as well as faster, more direct dialogue to anticipate and satisfy their needs and market requirements. The company in Lagos will also enjoy support through frequent visits from experts and managers from the Europe, Africa, Middle East Region.

Symrise is also known for its high internal standards in quality and regulatory. It will also apply these best practices in Nigeria. Strict compliance with domestic legal requirements will be granted in all of its activities. For this, Symrise intends to closely cooperate with government and regulatory authorities.

About Symrise

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings, cosmetic active ingredients and raw materials as well as functional ingredients. Its clients include manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics, food and beverages, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of nutritional supplements.

Its sales of € 1.830 billion in 2013 place Symrise among the top four companies in the global flavors and fragrances market. Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, the Group is represented in 35 countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the United States and Latin America.

Symrise works with its clients to develop new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. Economic success and corporate responsibility are inextricably linked as part of this process. Symrise thus takes sustainability into account in every part of its corporate strategy. DQS certified Symrise as a "Green Company" in 2013.
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Media Contact:

Bernhard Kott
Phone: +49 (0)5531 90-1721
E-mail: bernhard.kott(at)symrise.com

Christina Witter
Phone: +49 5531 90-21 82
E-mail: christina.witter(at)symrise.com