Kalbe buys Woods brand

Kalbe buys Woods brand

JAKARTA (JP): PT Kalbe Farma, a publicly listed pharmaceutical
company, has spent US$14.4 million to buy Woods brand-name and
business from W.E. Woods Pty Ltd and Woods Pharmaceutical
Australia Pty Ltd, Kalbe said yesterday.

Woods, an established brand for cough syrup and peppermint
cures, was started by William Edward Woods in 1895. The brand is
available in seven nations and has trademarks registered in more
than 20 countries.

The purchase, completed in Sydney last Wednesday, includes the
brand, worldwide business, related intellectual property rights
(including formula, technology, design and product concept) and
inventory, Kalbe said.

"This acquisition is just one of the steps in our strategy to
anticipate market globalization. The existing markets for Woods,
together with its distribution network, will assist Kalbe to
distribute its other products."

Woods's sales last year were $4.38 million. The figure was
expected to climb to $15 million within five years, Kalbe said.
(icn)