Premier, Intarome and Fragrance Solutions Join Forces with Strategic Investment from The Riverside Company and Tap Bertrand Lemont as CEO

Premier Specialties, Inc. (Premier), Intarome Fragrance Corporation (Intarome) and Fragrance Solutions Corporation (Fragrance Solutions) have announced they’ve merged and received an investment from The Riverside Company. The new combined business creates a disruptive new fragrance house in the middle-market founded upon decades of experience from three separate well-respected companies.

"I am proud to be partnering with both Fragrance Solutions and Intarome, as well as Riverside, who has an incredible track record for scaling businesses like ours,” said Premier’s Founder Roger Rich. “Riverside has already proven their commitment to helping us reach new heights, and with their continued support, we'll create a world class fragrance house with market-leading capabilities.”

Rich and other members of the collective management teams will continue to be executives and meaningful shareholders of the company.

“Each of these businesses share the same entrepreneurial, customer-first mindset, which has created longstanding, tight-knit relationships with those we serve,” said Intarome’s CEO Daniel Funsch. “This will continue to be the core tenant of our collective business long into the future.”

“Not only am I excited about the future of the platform, but I’m excited for our customers, many of whom have been with us since the beginning,” said Fragrance Solutions’ President John Yorey. “With incremental resources and capital, as well as a deeper bench of high-quality talent, we’ll be able to service our customers better…and faster.” In addition to being a key shareholder, Yorey will be a sales executive for the new organization.

Riverside’s financing will be used to support investments in technology, product development and customer service, as well as pursuing strategic add-on acquisitions.

“We are thrilled about the opportunity to partner with these three special businesses,” said Riverside Managing Partner Loren Schlachet. “We plan to invest meaningfully in the platform through acquisitions, as well as organic growth initiatives, ensuring we’re the absolute best home possible for emerging brands.”

Bertrand Lemont has been tapped to lead the combined business as chief executive officer. Lemont has more than 25 years of experience in the fragrance and beauty industry, previously serving as president of Drom Fragrances USA and holding executive positions at Givaudan and International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF).

“I’m honored and excited to lead this new platform through a new phase of growth,” said Lemont. “As one new organization with substantial financial backing, we’ll be able to provide best-in-class capabilities and superior creativity, while remaining committed to the unmatched agility that our customers have come to expect.”

“We couldn’t be happier to have an industry veteran like Bertrand steering this fast-moving platform. The organization will certainly benefit from his leadership, wealth of knowledge and ambition,” said Riverside Senior Partner Alan Peyrat.

Working with Schlachet and Peyrat on the investments for Riverside were Senior Associate David Myers, Associate Erin Reger, Operating Partner Jeff Vail and Finance Director Kim Katzenberger. Peyrat, Myers, Reger and Managing Partner, Origination, Jeremy Holland assisted in sourcing these deals for Riverside.