Bacou-Dalloz announced in December 2006 that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Epicon, a Brazilian company that manufactures and sells disposable masks.

Epicon posted 2005 sales of approximately $4 million. The company employs about 80 people in Sao Paulo state.

This operation is one step in the company’s strategy of a larger expansion into Latin America, according to a Bacou-Dalloz statement. Bacou-Dalloz plans to increase its manufacturing presence in order to improve its competitiveness and provide locally relevant products in the Latin America market.

Henri-Dominique Petit, chairman and chief executive officer of Bacou-Dalloz, said in a statement: “This deal establishes the Group as a local player with prime access to Mercosur, the world’s fourth largest trade bloc, comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Epicon will be the beachhead for the Group in our emerging market strategy for Latin America.”