Henkel has BEE investor group participate in its South Africa business

Effective January 1, 2006, Henkel sold 26 percent of the shares in its South African business to BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) investor Vuya Investments (Pty) Ltd. Through this action, Henkel is showing support for the official government program BEE – in place since 2004 – which is pursuing the objective of redressing equality issues and encouraging active participation of the black population of South Africa in the economic life of the country.

This early involvement of a BEE partner will serve to strengthen Henkel’s standing both in relation to state interests and in the eyes of its customers, as companies satisfying the BEE guidelines officially enjoy the status of preferred supplier.
“The BEE-initiative is important for cementing domestic political stability and creating the kind of conditions required in the long term for social and economic harmony in South Afrika,” said Ulrich Lehner, Chairman of the Management Board of Henkel KGaA.