GREENWICH, Conn., Nov. 21, 2000 -- Blyth, Inc. (NYSE:BTH), parent company of Candle Corporation of America, headquartered in Chicago, announced the addition of new talent to its management team and the introduction of unique new products one year following the hugely successful launch of the Colonial at HOME(tm) product line. In addition, the establishment of new and expanded permanent show rooms in major U.S. cities hosting annual gift shows will ensure improved visibility and customer service.
Following the recent appointment of James Kopp as President, Candle Corp., a realigned and enhanced senior management team with more than 65 years of collective experience in the gift industry is in place. Pam Terry, most recently with Bath & Body Works, joined Candle Corp. as Vice President, Marketing and Product Development. Ms. Terry was instrumental in the product development for the White Barn Candle Company's recently launched home fragrance stores. Chris Collins joined Candle Corp. as Vice President, Sales, having served most recently as corporate vice president of sales at Russ Berrie and Company, which sells plush collectibles and gifts. Collins' responsibilities at Russ Berrie included oversight of more than 500 sales and telemarketing staff members, as well as the 12 national showrooms operated by the company. Charlie Leichtweis, recently appointed Vice President, Controller, joined Candle Corp. from Process Solutions, Inc., a management consulting practice he founded. He has several years of experience across a variety of industries at companies including Rustoleum, Abbott Laboratories and Rand McNally. Terry, Collins and Leichtweis join 18-year Blyth veteran James Ramaker, Vice President of Operations, to lead the senior management group.
Commenting on the management team, Robert B. Goergen, Blyth's Chairman of the Board and CEO, said, "The realigning and enhancing of this key group brought together the optimal combination of internal skill and industry experience. This is an exciting step towards our goal of leading the gift industry in innovative home fragrance product designs."
New Product Development: New products slated for introduction at retail in January 2001 include three exclusive fragranced product lines resulting from a partnership with Hallmark's Gold Crown stores, as well as Color Therapy(tm) by Colonial, a line of vibrant new shades that was very well received during its wholesale launch in September. The Kate's Holidays(tm) product line, an extension of the Kate's Original Recipe(tm) brand, which was launched in April 2000, will be making its wholesale debut. Kate's Gazebo(tm), to which a very positive response was received earlier in the fall, will be available in retail stores early in 2001. Many unique and exclusive candles, incorporating elements such as sparkle and holiday themes and appealing to the decorative and giftable markets will be introduced at the January gift shows also.
These innovative new products will join a host of other recently released lines in Blyth's channels of distribution. New wine fragrances, sold under the Colonial at HOME(tm) brand, are now appearing in premium retail shops nationwide as part of eight new fragrances in this line. The essences of champagne, chardonnay, white zinfandel and merlot are captured in the unique oval jar and pillar candles exclusive to Colonial at HOME(tm). New to the brand this year is an oval votive, continuing the theme of this original design. Consumers frequenting specialty retailers may enjoy Wellness Aromatherapy(tm) by Carolina Designs(tm), a new product line based on the uplifting qualities of herbs such as clary sage, echinacea and st. john's wort.
Showroom Expansion: Candle Corp. has embarked on an aggressive effort to upgrade its showrooms in major U.S. markets for the January gift shows, widely regarded as the kick-off to the next retail year in the premium channel. The improved exhibition space will allow for increased focus on the Colonial Candle of Cape Cod(r) products and sub-brands, which include Colonial at HOME(tm), Day Spa(tm) and Color Therapy(tm).
Commenting on the recent initiatives, James Kopp, President of Candle Corporation of America, said, "The enormous success of the Colonial at HOME(tm) brand this year demonstrates Candle Corp.'s principal position in the gift channel. The enhancements we've made under the leadership of the new management team further illustrate our commitment to improved customer service and innovative industry leadership."
Blyth, Inc., headquartered in Greenwich, designs, manufactures, and markets an extensive line of candles and home fragrance products including scented candles, potpourri and environmental fragrance products, and markets a broad range of related candle accessories and decorative seasonal products. Its products are sold in the United States under various brand names, including Colonial Candle of Cape Cod(r), PartyLite(r), Kate's Original Recipe(tm), Carolina Designs(r), Ambria(tm), Canterbury(r), Florasense(r), Jeanmarie(r) and FilterMate(r) and in Europe under Gies, Liljeholmens and Colony brands. It is also a leading producer of portable heating fuel products sold under the Sterno(r) and Handy Fuel(r) brand names. Net Sales for the twelve months ended July 31, 2000 totaled $1,133,602,000.
Blyth, Inc. can be found on the Internet at www.blythinc.com.