South Africa's Tiger Brands buys into Kenya's Haco

According to Kenya's Business Daily Leading South African company Tiger Brands is reported to have paid for a 51% majority stake in one of Kenya's largest group of Companies, Haco Industries. The South African firm manufactures "pharmaceutical, hospital, food and personal and home care products".

Haco industries is noted for its strong brands such as Bic ball pens manufactured under license from Societe Bic of France. It also manufactures razors, Bic alkaline batteries and a range of household cleaning agents. Haco has been a significant player in trying to fight piracy, particularly in the east african region where most of the company's goods are sold. It has employed both administrative measures, as well as litigation to emphasize its relentless fight against pirates, especially copycats of its successful bic pen line of products( see Haco Industries V. Dungu HTCT-00-CC-MA-0253 OF 2005).

In the event of the successful conclusion of this deal, it can be presumed that Tiger Brands will continue this strategy of asserting the company's brand presence in the East African region.