Company Overview

Universal Group is a manufacturer and marketer of personal grooming products located in Los Angeles, California.

Our primary business is the distribution of men’s and women’s shaving products that are marketed under the Old Spice ® and Noxzema ® brand names.  We maintain a licensing agreement with The Procter & Gamble Company, which allows us specific rights to use these two highly recognized consumer brands.

Our Old Spice and Noxzema shaving products include razors, shave gels & shave creams and are sold in the following classes of trade: Food, Drug, Mass Merchandisers and Dollar Stores.
 
Universal Group is a division of Kai USA, ltd., a subsidiary of KAI Industries Co., ltd of Gifu, Japan. KAI is the leading manufacturer of fine cutting instruments, knives, shaving products and personal care implements in Japan and throughout the world.  KAI manufactures and supplies all of our disposable razors and specialty items such as beauty implements.

Company History

Universal Group was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1993.  Our company started out as a Private Label manufacturer that featured a broad range of razor products.

Our relationship with The Procter & Gamble Company began in 1999 when the first licensing agreement between the companies was signed.  In September of that year, Universal Group launched the Noxzema line of shaving products.  We eventually sold our Private Label razor business in June 2002 and later launched the Old Spice ® High Endurance ® line of shaving products in February 2003.

Universal Group and Kai USA Ltd. formed their partnership in May 2004 marking the beginning of a new era for us.  Later that year, in August, we launched the world’s first 4-Blade Disposable Razors under the Old Spice High Endurance and Noxzema brands.

Spring 2005 marked the launch of the b beaute implement line.  This new brand of premium beauty instruments was ergonomically engineered and designed using premium Japanese technology to set a new standard in implements.

Universal Group’s newest product introduction occurred in Spring 2006, when we launched Old Spice NAVIGATOR™, the world’s first power disposable razor.   Navigator features a battery-powered motor that sends gentle vibrations to its four high-performance blades resulting in a powerfully close, smooth shave. 

In December 2006, Kai USA Ltd. acquired the remaining interest in Universal Group.  Kai USA had purchased 50% ownership of Universal Group in May 2004 and has now purchased the remaining 50% ownership of the company.  Under the terms of the agreement, Universal Group will have a new Board of Directors led by Koji Endo CEO of Kai Group.

Operations

Product Development

Universal Group’s product development process is led by our President who has a tremendous background in product development and resourcing.   We are able to tap into our worldwide network of suppliers to secure the most modern technology and revolutionary ideas available and bring them to market.  Universal Group has a very impressive track record of successfully bringing innovative new products to the consumer.  Besides b beaute, our most recent innovative product launches are the Noxzema Bikini franchise, Noxzema Eyebrow Shaper, the world’s first 4-Blade disposable razor and our latest innovation, Old Spice NAVIGATOR™, the world’s first power disposable razor.

The product development process is founded on fact based research and creative design. This information is merged with a talented creative team and management expertise, which yields a continuous stream of exceptional new products.  This process has been finely tuned over time and is prepared to meet the challenges of the future.

KAI Industries Co. Ltd, with its extensive Research & Development resources, plays a key role in the development of our disposable razors and specialty items such as beauty implements.  Meanwhile, leading manufacturers in the industry, all of which have been approved by Procter & Gamble, supply new product development in other segments of our business such as shave gels, shave creams and other “liquid” products.  We utilize the same exacting standards that we use for our razors in our development process for these types of products

Manufacturing

Universal Group is able to leverage KAI's leading edge Japanese technology and superior quality in shaving products, personal care implements and fine cutting instruments.  This enables us to continually bring new advancements and improvements in shaving products and personal care implements to market.

Universal Group also has the resources to develop products in a wide range of personal care categories on a global basis.  We have established relationships with liquid fillers that manufacture every type of product available in the retail store.  These resources allow Universal Group to be proactive and facilitate speed to market, which is a clear advantage for us when competing against larger companies.