Knowlton Development Corporation (KDC), a contract manufacturer of health and beauty-care products based in Québec, has acquired Northern Labs, Inc, a full-service liquid product contract manufacturer Wisconsin.

Northern Labs has served the world's leading CPG and OTC companies for over 70 years, and has more than 200 full-time employees in its 275k sq. ft. facility. The company offers turnkey manufacturing solutions for large fill and unique package types, QA/QC services and regulatory services.

While KDC is active in many personal care categories such as deodorants, hair care, bath and body, and skin care products, Northern Labs represents a significant opportunity in the categories of home, laundry and automotive care, as well as industrial products.

The transaction is being financed by the private equity firm Novacap, in partnership with La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Investissement Québec, Export Development Canada, Fondaction CSN and other institutional partners.

Nicholas Whitley, president and CEO of KDC comments, "The Specialty Household market category offers a series of growth opportunities for both our companies. KDC and Northern Labs have similar values and business cultures, and we strongly feel that Northern Labs' team of highly skilled professionals, and its reputation for product quality, consistency, and customer service will align well with our operating principles, and will bring tangible benefits by leveraging the scale and core competencies of our combined network of companies, facilities, existing and future clients."

J.D. Culea, president and CEO of Northern Labs, adds, "KDC has a solid history of investing in improving the business and enabling its people, so we can expect that our partnership will propel Northern Labs to a new and superior level, as a leading consumer products focused full-service contract manufacturer serving the U.S. market."