Paris-based firm Diadeis acquires pre-media packaging firm Alia

Asia’s leading pre-media packaging services company Alia becomes part of the Paris headquartered pre media services company Diadeis. The French multinational, whose roots go back to more than 300 years has acquired Alia Group’s FMCG pre-media packaging firm Alia. This makes it the 3^rd divestment for the Sanjeev Malhotra led Alia Group (previously he has divested to Future Group‘s Kishore Biyani and the Anand Deshpande led Persistent Systems).

The acquisition also witnesses Diadeis’ entry into Asia, allowing them to tap the vast clientele and provide them world-class services related to graphic creation, prepress and brand lifecycle technology services. It combines Diadeis’ technological skills and international experience with Alia’s expertise, bringing their vast client base under one roof including big players like Unilever, Cadbury-Kraft, Nestlé, Danone, L’Oréal, GSK, LVMH, Renault to name a few. Together Alia and Diadeis will build the business to offer global and customized solutions to Indian FMCG & Auto majorsmaking it amongst the top 5 firm in the $2 billion premedia industry.

Commenting on the merger Sanjeev Malhotra, Founder Alia Group and Promoter Alia said, “We believe this is a win-win for both. Alia with its strong Asia, Middle East and South Africa presence will complement and enhance Diadeis’s global footprint”.  He further added, “Alia Group has created specialist firms in the Asia region,that are ahead of their times. We are fortunate that this is recognized by the global players and interest shown by them to invest in us and take these businesses to the next level.”

Jean-Charles Morisseau, Chairman, Diadeis, adds, “In order to optimize their packaging chain and achieve brand consistency, more and more brand owners are thinking their packaging production on a large geographical scale, trusting a supplier with a brand or a business unit globally. With the addition of Alia’s skills and expertise in India, Diadeis reinforces its position as a top player in the 2 billion $ pre-media market, with the right capacities to answer brand owners’ needs, be it globally or locally.” He further added, “We are looking at 2-3 more acquisitions in other parts of the world to strengthen our global foot-print.”

Sethunath P, Managing Director, Diadeis India said, "We believe this deal will provide a strong platform for future revenue and growth in earning, whilst offering exceptional value to stakeholders of both Alia and Diadeis. Further the partnership will lead to new skills development and growth of our employees while substantially increasing the scale, diversification and profitability of our business and expand and enhance the breadth and depth of the pre-media segment in the region”.

Merisis advisors acted as an exclusive investment banking advisor to Alia and Diadeis for this transaction.