Norwalk’s Charkit Chemical Co. scoops up pair of S.C. firms

Norwalk”™s Charkit Chemical Co. has acquired Custom Ingredients, a manufacturer of specialty ingredients, and its affiliated company CA Specialities, a distributor of ingredients in the personal care market. The financial aspect of the transaction was not disclosed.

Founded in 1987, CA Specialities serves a select group of chemical companies to provide distribution and sales support to personal care customers throughout the southeastern U.S. In 1995, the company expanded its offerings by establishing a second company, Custom Ingredients. In 1999, the company expanded further and moved to its present facility in Chester, South Carolina.

Founder Cathy Ayer Clark will continue to lead both organizations as president, reporting to Charkit President Jay S. Lang.

Charkit is a subsidiary of LBB Specialties LLC. That company”™s CEO and President Charles Hinnant said the acquisition “further demonstrates how our expansion forms the cornerstone of the LBB Specialties growth strategy. We are looking for companies that would fall into the “tuck-in” category (up to $50 million), as well as larger businesses in the range of $100 million, which would become platform companies along with Charkit and AIC.

“Of particular interest are companies with a large brand identity and owners who are not quite ready to retire and want to manage the growth of their individual brands under the auspices of LBB,” Hinnant said.