Fairchild Publications,  Inc.

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, M.I. - HoMedics has bought Salter Housewares, a U.K.-based maker of bath and kitchen scales and kitchen housewares products. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The acquisition of Salter, which invented the United Kingdom's first personal weight scale in 1897, helps HoMedics continue to expand its presence in the scale business. The move builds on HoMedics' 2002 purchase of Taylor Precision Products, a scale manufacturer. And Salter's penetration of high-end gourmet and specialty stores gives HoMedics new international channels of distribution.

"The Salter acquisition offers HoMedics significant presence in countries where we have been interested in growing," said Ron Ferber, president and co-owner of HoMedics. "We will continue the Salter name because it has such strength in the marketplace and serves as a recognized leader." "With the purchase, we will be able to expand our product offerings and distribution channels while remaining true to our focus on personal wellness and nutrition, and our strategic vision of providing consumers with the best products at affordable prices," said Alon Kaufman, chief executive officer and co-owner of HoMedics.

Salter will gain the ability to "leverage HoMedics' international reputation, as well as its sophisticated marketing, advertising and product development processes," said Roger Evans, CEO of Salter. "It will allow us to capitalize on the resources of the combined companies and improve our European Union distribution."

HoMedics plans to operate Salter Housewares as a wholly owned subsidiary, retain the existing management team and maintain the Salter brand name on the company's products. Salter will keep its headquarters office in Tonbridge, Kent, England, as well as its sales forces in the United States and Canada.

Sawaya Segalas & Co., a New York-based investment banking firm, represented HoMedics. Barclays Private Equity was a majority shareholder in Salter Housewares.

Salter Housewares began in the late 1700s in the village of Bilston, England, when a spring maker, Richard Salter, began making pocket steelyards, a scale similar to the fisherman's scale of today.

COPYRIGHT © 2004 Fairchild Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. For permission to reuse this article, contact Copyright Clearance Center.