Hair care have more mystery for Unilever. The giant Anglo-Dutch food and cosmetics has officially on Monday the takeover of Alberto Culver, a manufacturer of hair products U.S. $ 3.7 billion in cash. The operation was revealed Sunday by the Wall Street Journal on its website.

As announced in the newspaper, Unilever will buy the U.S. $ 37.50 action against a closing price of 31.48 dollars Friday, representing a premium of 19%. Alberto Culver has a market capitalization of 3.1 billion dollars and reported sales of $ 1.6 billion for the fiscal year ended in September 2009.

Through this acquisition, Unilever expands its range of hair care brands TRESemmé and Nexxus, Alberto VO5 and more. The product portfolio includes brands skin care such as St. Ives and Noxzema."These products will complement the existing portfolio of Unilever brands that already includes Dove, Sunsilk and Clear", welcomed the group's boss, Paul Polman. "This acquisition of Unilever the world's leading hair care, the second shampoo on the market," the statement said.

Unilever continues its policy of external growth, only a year after the acquisition of Sara Lee, a specialist in hygiene products, for $ 1.275 billion.