Azelis Strengthens Its Footprint in the Nordics with Acquisition of Haarla Oy

Azelis, a prominent global provider of innovation services in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients industries, has announced its agreement to acquire 100% of Haarla Oy, a Finnish-based specialty distributor of food ingredients and industrial chemicals. This strategic acquisition marks a significant step in Azelis’ efforts to strengthen its presence in the Nordic region and expand its footprint in the Life Sciences and Industrial Chemicals sectors.

Founded in 1962 by the Haarla family, Haarla Oy is headquartered in Tampere, Finland, and has established itself as a leader in the food ingredients market and various industrial chemicals segments. Its product portfolio and market position strategically align with Azelis’ lateral value chain, enhancing the company’s offerings in key areas and bolstering its ability to serve customers in Finland and Sweden. The acquisition brings Haarla’s strong local expertise, a customer base of over 300 clients, and long-standing relationships with renowned principals into the Azelis network. These elements complement Azelis’ existing partnerships and further diversify its operations in the region.

The Haarla team, comprising 31 experienced employees, including sales and technical specialists, will play an integral role in the integration process. Their local market knowledge and established connections provide Azelis with the tools to deliver a broader product portfolio and innovative solutions tailored to customer needs. The synergy between the two companies is expected to unlock new opportunities for growth and expand the services available to their customers.

Julius Haarla, co-owner and CEO of Haarla Oy, expressed optimism about the acquisition, stating: “We are thrilled to join forces with Azelis, a company that shares our values and operational approach. This partnership offers us the opportunity to further develop our business through expanded growth potential. By leveraging the combined strengths of both organizations, we can enhance our cross-selling activities, strengthen partnerships with leading principals, and deliver an improved offering to our customers.”

Gert Schnoor, Managing Director of Azelis Nordics, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition: “Bringing Haarla into the Azelis group is a natural fit with our objective of strengthening our position in the markets we serve. With the local expertise of the Haarla team, we will be able to offer an even more comprehensive portfolio and innovative solutions to our customers, reinforcing our market position across the Nordic region.”

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024, subject to the fulfillment of customary closing conditions. This acquisition underscores Azelis’ commitment to growth and its strategy of building a stronger presence in key markets while enhancing the value it delivers to its customers and partners.