Mario Argenti Named President/CEO of KPSS, Inc.

LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, Md. -- Thomas Dieckhoff, CEO/Chairman of KPSS GmbH, today named Mario Argenti as President and CEO of KPSS, Inc. In his new role, Argenti is charged with growing the market leadership and driving sales of the Goldwell and KMS California brands of professional hair care products in North America.

For almost 30 years, Argenti has led international companies in the professional hair care and the premium beauty industries to great success. Previously, Argenti was Managing Director of Estee Lauder Companies, New York, NY, with responsibility for the Australian affiliate. Prior to that, he served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for Wella Corporation, USA, with responsibility for the Unites States, Puerto Rico and Canadian operations.

"With an ever increasing consolidation of manufacturers and distributors in the marketplace, there is a high level of uneasiness, particularly in the distribution sector," explains Argenti. "The traditional manufacturer and distributor responsibilities have become very murky. Manufacturers have become distributors either directly or via distribution acquisitions, consumer organizations have directly entered the salon arena and distributor independence is threatened with a constantly growing consolidation. This environment creates a fantastic opportunity for Goldwell and KMS California in which our long-standing, salon-only heritage remains unchanged and unmatched by anyone on a global basis. Our distribution platform, for the most part, consists of independent, family-owned entrepreneurial businesses that have built our lines to what they are today and will continue to do so with our help and vast resources. It is a great time to join the local KPSS team, and I look forward to meeting those opportunities head on."

Adds Dieckhoff, "Argenti's success in leading major companies from stagnation and losses to stellar profitability, sales growth, shareholders' equity and ROI will be the pinnacle focus of building the well-known color brand Goldwell and the KMS California styling products. He will provide an excellent platform for the future growth of our business in North America."

Argenti received his Bachelor of Commerce with a marketing major and finance minor from the University of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia, in 1976.

Argenti has served as President of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA) in Australia, has served on the Board of Directors of CTFA in the United States, has been actively involved in his community and has served on various industry committees, associations and boards throughout his career.

Argenti will reside in Baltimore with his wife, Elda, and two children.

KPSS, Inc. is a direct subsidiary of KPSS GmbH based in Darmstadt, Germany, which is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Kao Corporation. KPSS, Inc. is the manufacturer and marketer of professional hair color, texturizers, shampoos, conditioners, styling and finishing products sold under the Goldwell and KMS California brands. For more information, visit www.goldwellusa.com or www.kmscalifornia.com.