Alfaparf Milano acquires Xpert Professional Ireland and UK

Alfaparf Milano has announced the acquisition of Irish-owned Xpert Professional Ireland and UK.

Founded in 1997 by David Donnellan, and headquartered in Naas, Co Kildare, Xpert Professional is a leading distributor of professional hair and beauty cosmetics in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK.

The company has distribution centres in Naas in Ireland, and Manchester in the UK, along with the Accademia education centre in Dublin.

Donnellan will remain on as managing director following the acquisition.

Alfaparf Milano is an Italian family-owned company that was founded 42 years ago by Roberto Franchina. It operates in over 100 countries, with 25 subsidiaries and over 200 distributors.

The acquisition will see Xpert Professional joining Alfaparf Milano, which consists of 15 professional hair and beauty brands, including haircare brand Alfaparf Milano Professional, beauty brand DIBI Milano and aesthetics brand APG Tech.

“We are thrilled to have Xpert Professional as part of the Alfaparf Milano family,” said Lisa Marangon, European sales manager, Alfaparf Milano. “We have worked with David for 25 years and have been incredibly impressed with the team’s achievements in the Irish market.

“The UK market remains one of the most innovative and revered throughout the world, and this acquisition shows how heavily invested in, and serious we are, about growing our presence in this particularly important market, as well as in some other European countries with a strong recognition in the hair industry.

“Our aim is to support and nurture the UK and Irish industry as it navigates the exciting new opportunities presented by the changing face of hair and beauty. One of the first things we are doing is investing in a training academy and offices in Bank in London in late summer 2023. This will support Alfaparf’s distributors, direct sales and technical teams nationwide, as well as be a hub for the other brands and a destination for international customers.”

Donnellan added: “This acquisition will continue to strengthen the portfolio of our brands across the UK and Ireland and shows the commitment of Alfaparf Milano to investing into both countries and the industry in general.”