<article>US-based private equity firm <a href="http://www.riversidecompany.com" target="_blank">The Riverside Co </a>said it had acquired <a href="http://www.drexchem.com.my/" target="_blank">Drex-Chem Malaysia (Shah Alam, Malaysia)</a>, a value-added specialty chemical distributor. Both companies did not disclose deal details. This marks the PE firm’s first investment in Southeast Asia.</article>

US-based private equity firm <a href="http://www.riversidecompany.com" target="_blank">The Riverside Co </a>said it had acquired <a href="http://www.drexchem.com.my/" target="_blank">Drex-Chem Malaysia (Shah Alam, Malaysia)</a>, a value-added specialty chemical distributor. Both companies did not disclose deal details. This marks the PE firm’s first investment in Southeast Asia.
Riverside said it plans to grow Drex-Chem Malaysia, both organically and through selected add-on acquisitions. The firm added that it expects to enhance the chemical distributor’s product and service offerings and expand the company’s geographic footprint.
Based near Kuala Lumpur, Drex-Chem Malaysia has distribution relationships with more than 50 international chemical companies. The company serves more than 600 customers by selling a portfolio of 700 high-quality branded products.
Riverside has over $4.6 billion in assets under management, has completed nearly 350 acquisitions; it has completed 160 transactions in its specialty manufacturing and distribution specialization vertical, and has extensive experience with specialty chemical companies, according to the information provided on its website..
“Drex-Chem Malaysia boasts a broad product offering, strong technical capabilities and a knowledgeable sales force that anticipates and meets both its principals’ and customers’ needs,” said Riverside Managing Partner Stu Baxter, in a media statement.  “It’s easy to see why many of the world’s premier chemical companies trust Drex-Chem to represent them in Malaysia.”
Drex-Chem Malaysia’s services allow international chemical producers to access the attractive Malaysian market easily while providing customers with comprehensive solutions for specialty products, logistics and technical services, the PE firm said, and added: “Among the company’s customers are several of the largest global paint and coatings companies as well as leading consumer goods companies.”
Drex-Chem Malaysia, incorporated in 1987, is a multi-million MYR company with diversified interest and substantial investments in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China and other Asean countries.
Its application laboratory, office and warehouse facility is situated in the Hicom-Glenmarie industrial park. Drex-Chem Malaysia has also an independent sister company &#8211; DCM Personal Care Sdn Bhd &#8211; which runs the personal care business.
The group notes on its website that the personal care business has grown at a double digit growth pace since its incorporation in 2002.
Riverside is a global private equity firm specialising in recapitalisation and leverage buyout, focusing only on the smaller end of the middle market.
Among the industries it is invested in are business services, consumer brands, education and training, energy and sustainability, healthcare, software and IT and specialty manufacturing and distribution.

PE firm Riverside buys Malaysia’s Drex-Chem

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PE firm Riverside buys Malaysia’s Drex-Chem

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