JUST IN: Coty Inc. to close Rocky Point plant in 2011

NEW YORK, NY, (NEWS RELEASE) – Coty, Inc. has announced that it will end production at its manufacturing plant in Rocky Point, N.C. by the summer of 2011. The decision to close Rocky Point manufacturing was originally announced in May, 2009. Since then, Coty has pursued the potential sale of the Rocky Point facility to a Third Party Manufacturer in hopes of minimizing total job losses. Unfortunately, no potential buyer has been able to conclude the purchase. However, Coty remains open to explore new opportunities if they should arise.

The distribution function located in the same facility is also in the closure process and is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2010.

“Our number one priority now is to help our employees make a successful transition to their next career opportunity. All full time Coty employees will receive a generous severance package, extensive career counseling though an on-site career center and other employment services as needed.” said Cary Newman, Senior Vice President and General Manager at the Rocky Point facility.

The manufacturing closure will affect approximately 330 Coty employees in addition to the 100 Distribution employees already in the lay off process.

The Rocky Point facility was acquired by Coty from Del Laboratories on December 31, 2007. The core manufacturing consists of Sally Hansen and New York Color Nail Color and Treatments, Sally Hansen Bleaches and Depilatories and the packaging of La Cross Beauty Tools. The closure of Manufacturing and Distribution in Rocky Point is part of a consolidation strategy to strengthen Coty’s ability to serve its North American customer base.

About Coty Inc.

Coty was created in Paris in 1904 by Francois Coty who is credited with founding the modern fragrance industry.

Today, Coty Inc. is a recognized leader in global beauty with annual net sales of nearly $4 billion. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, passion, innovation and creativity, Coty Inc. has developed an unrivaled portfolio of notable brands and delivers its innovative products to consumers in 90 markets worldwide.

The Coty Prestige brand portfolio is distributed in prestige and ultra-prestige stores and includes Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chloé, Chopard, Davidoff, Jennifer Lopez, Jil Sander, JOOP!, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Cole, L.A.M.B. fragrance by Gwen Stefani, La Voce by Reneée Fleming , Lancaster, Marc Jacobs, Nikos, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and Wolfgang Joop.

The Coty Beauty brand portfolio is more widely distributed and includes adidas, ASTOR, Baby Phat, Beyoncé Knowles, Celine Dion, Chupa Chups, David and Victoria Beckham, Esprit, Exclamation, Faith Hill, GUESS, Halle Berry, Jovan, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue, La Cross, Lady Gaga, Miss Sporty, Nautica, N.Y.C. New York Color,Pierre Cardin¹, Playboy, Rimmel, Sally Hansen, Stetson, Tim McGraw, and Tonino Lamborghini.

Coty and Puig Fashion and Beauty S.A. have a strategic partnership for the distribution of the perfume lines of Nina Ricci, Carolina Herrera, Prada, Paco Rabanne, and Antonio Banderas in the United States and Canada.