Jarden

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH) is an American conglomerate of many well-known consumer product brands in the areas of kitchen electronics, kitchen cookware, kitchen tools, gaming, arts & crafts, home storage, and clothing. In 2006, it was ranked #585 on the Fortune 1000, and had a market cap of $2 billion US.

[edit] History

In March 1993, Ball Corporation spun off its canning business as a new company called Alltrista Corporation (NYSE:ALC). In June 2002, Alltrista changed its name to Jarden Corporation (NYSE:JAH). The spin-off held the names Kerr®, Ball®, and Bernardin®. ^[1]

In March 1998, Sunbeam Corporation (NYSE:SOC) acquired the Coleman Company (NSYE:CLN) and Coleman Powermate.

In December 2002, Sunbeam Corporation filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and cancelled its common stock. When it emerged from bankruptcy, Sunbeam changed its name to American Household, Inc., a privately held company.

In January 2005, Jarden acquired American Household, Inc. which was then comprised of:

The Coleman Company, Inc. (Campingaz®, Coleman®, Powermate®, First Alert®, BRK®)
Sunbeam Products, Inc. (Sunbeam®, Health o meter®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®)

In April 2002, Alltrista acquired Tilia International, Inc. for $145 million, involving the trademarks Foodsaver® and VillaWare®. ^[2]

In November 2002, Jarden purchased the Diamond Brands, Inc. which had been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Trademarks involved include Diamond® and Forster®. ^[3]

In September 2003, Jarden acquired Lehigh Consumer Products Corporation. Trademarks involved include Crawford®, Lehigh® and Leslie-Locke®.

In March 2004, Jarden acquired Loew-Cornell, a maker of brushes and other arts and crafts supplies. Trademarks involved include American Painter®, Arttec®, and Contemporary Crafts®.

In June 2004, Jarden bought a 75% stake in the privately held U.S. Playing Card Company, and in October 2004 it purchased the remaining 25%. Trademarks included Bee®, Bicycle®, Aviator®, and Hoyle®. ^[4]

In May 2005, Jarden acquired Innovo Inc., a producer of denim jeans under the brands Betsey Johnson and Joe's Jeans.

In July 2005, Jarden acquired The Holmes Group, maker of home and kitchen products, for approximately $420 million in cash and 6.2 million shares of Jarden common stock. Trademarks involved include Crock-Pot®, Seal-a-Meal®, and Bionaire®. ^[5]

In September 2006, Jarden agreed to acquire Conros Corporation, maker of PineMountain® firelogs, candles, and firestarters. ^[6]