Azim Premji's Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting is poised to acquire the personal care business of UK based Lornamead.

Lornamead is a privately-held consumer goods company owned byUK-based Indian origin businessman Mike Jatania and has brands such as Yardley and Tura.

Formed in 1978, Lornamead operates in 82 countries with over 42 brands. Its global turnover is about $650 mn.

Its portfolio includes various categories of personal care products including hair-care (Brisk, Aqua Net and Vosene), cosmetics and skin-care (Amplex and Handsan), oral care (Brilliant and Goldspot) and home care brand Stergene.

The fast moving consumer goods arm of Wipro Ltd is keen to increase its global footprint through acquisitions and if this deal goes through, it will be Wipro's second big buy-out in the FMCG space in two years.

Earlier in 2007, Wipro had bought Singapore-based personal care products manufacturer Unza Holdings Ltd for $246 mn in an all-cash deal.

Unza's portfolio included brands Enchanteur, Safi, Romano, Izzi and detergent brands such as Vigor and Maxkleen.

For the quarter ended June 30 2009, Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting posted revenues of Rs 546 crore. The consumer care & lighting arm accounted for 9% of Wipro Ltd's total revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Dabur and Godrej are also interested the personal care business of Lornamead.

Wipro's Unza buy was one of the largest overseas deal in the personal care segment by an Indian company. Late last year, Dabur had acquired 72.15% in Fem Care Pharma for Rs 203.7 crore in an all-cash deal. And in July this year, healthcare company Wockhardt sold its nutrition business to Abbot for about $130 million (Rs 625 crore). Abbot had acquired infant care brands Farex, Dexolac and adult protein supplement Protinex.

Indian consumer goods companies are looking to acquire foreign brands to increase their market share. Most of the deals are in emerging markets like Africa and West Asia.