Personal-care products from Mexico to Colombia

Mexico-hased Arabela, a distributor of personal care and household products, may throw a party to celebrate the launch of operations in Panama and Colombia, scheduled for 2017.

That would come after the celebration this year of Arabela’s 25th anniversary, along with sales growth of 25% in the first semester of 2016, following an increase last year of 22%, according to company sources.

Costa Rican operations are set to start shortly, while Arabela already operates in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, as well as in its Mexican home market, using local representatives for direct sales in homes and workplaces.

Products include cosmetics, fragrances, lingerie, jewelry, home items, cleaning supplies, books, and educational products.

The company also operates retail stores, including Amourett, Natural Pro Beauty, and Arabela Natural Skin.

Founded in 1990 in Toluca, Arabela S.A. de C.V. was acquired in 2007 by Carlyle Mexico Partners.

Carlyle Mexico is a division of The Carlyle Group, a fund with $178 billion of assets under management, with office in 21 countries on six continents.

The Carlyle Group was founded in 1987 in Washington, DC.