Pacha Soap Merges with Hand In Hand (2024)

Pacha Soap Co. (“Pacha”), a purpose-driven company that handcrafts natural, artisanal personal care products, announced earliertodaythat it has merged withHand in Hand, a personal care products company operating with a deep dedication to sustaining both people and planet. Simultaneously, the combined company has secured agrowth investment from Bain Capital Double Impact, a leading impact investor. Themergerand investment will allow both brands to reach more consumers with quality products, enhance product development and increase their environmental and social impact to all stakeholders.

Established in 2013 by husband and wife duo, Andrew and Abi Vrbas, Pacha Soap Co. was founded on the idea that business can free people. After volunteering in Peru and experiencing the need for better sanitation, education and economic opportunities, Andrew started the company to challengethe standards for what itmeans to be anethical business by taking radical steps toempower communities around the world with longterm,sustainable solutions.Pachanow employs75+ team members who handcraft premiumpersonal care and bath products sold across the US and Canada.

“Abi and I founded Pacha to continue the message that business is a tool forspreading thegood and promoting freedom,” said Andrew, who will lead the combined company going forward along with President and Board Member MariaMarkusenand CFO Kevin Griffith.

“I have known Hand in Hand since both brands were just starting, and I always admired the brand’s positioning and impact thesis. We are excited to leverage our impact across both brandswith our shared focus on the local and global need for sanitation and hygiene, the opportunity to create sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship throughout our global network of supplier and partners and the ability to scale our commitments to environmental stewardship. This transaction will allow us to accelerate our strategic plans, including our product development pipeline and our extensive supply chain partner empowerment work. Additionally, adding Bain Capital Double Impact to our investor base is incredibly exciting – they are highly mission-aligned and will bring significant capability to help us on our next phase of growth.”

In 2011, Hand in Hand was founded by Bill Glaab and Courtney Apple with the goal of creating higher quality soaps and mitigating water-related deaths around the globe with their Buy One, Give Back program. For every purchase made, the company donates soap and clean water to children in need.

“It has been my privilege to lead Hand in Hand and I look forward to seeing the brand accelerate its growth and impact in this next phase,” said current Hand in Hand CEO,Piyush Jain.

Bain Capital Double Impact is a leading impact investor focused on scaling mission-driven companies. They invest and engage in businesses to drive positive and lasting impact for companies, employees, communities and the environment with an emphasis on three primary themes -- health and wellness, education and workforce development, and sustainability to create long-term value and meaningful social impact at scale.

“For years, we have known and admired Pacha andtheirdeep commitment to impact for all oftheir stakeholders –theircustomers, suppliers,employees, the community in Hastingsand the planet,” saidCecilia Chao, Managing Director at Bain Capital Double Impact.“Hand in Hand’s approach to impact and commitment to its stakeholders is highly consistent with that of Pacha. Joining forces will allow both brands to accelerate andgrowfurther and faster than either company could have done alone.”