Adds premium brand, significant Asian position
ATLANTA, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Newell Rubbermaid
(NYSE: NWL) today announced it has substantially completed the acquisition
of Aprica Childcare Institute Aprica Kassai, Inc. ("Aprica"), a leading
maker of strollers, car seats and other children's products, headquartered
in Osaka, Japan. Closing on Aprica's operations in China is expected to
occur later in the second quarter of 2008.
The acquisition will provide Newell Rubbermaid with a premium brand
that has a leading position in Japan. Aprica has proprietary technology in
lightweight strollers and car seats. The nearly 60 year-old brand has been
recognized internationally for its extraordinary commitment to pediatric
research and dedication to child safety.
The addition of Aprica to Newell Rubbermaid's Baby & Parenting
Essentials global business unit provides the company with three of the
world's strongest brands within children's products, including Graco and
Teutonia. Aprica also provides a significant platform for expansion in
Asia.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release that are not historical in nature
constitute forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements
relate to information or assumptions about the transaction between the
Company and Aprica, benefits and synergies of the transaction, future
opportunities for the combined Company and products and any other
statements regarding the future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects
of the Company or Aprica. These statements are accompanied by words such as
"anticipate," "expect," "project," "will," "believes," "estimate" and
similar expressions. Actual results could differ materially from those
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested
by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our
dependence on the strength of retail economies; competition with other
manufacturers and distributors of consumer products; major retailers'
strong bargaining power; changes in the prices of raw materials; our
ability to develop innovative new products and to develop, maintain and
strengthen our end-user brands; our ability to expeditiously close
facilities and move operations while managing foreign regulations and other
impediments; our ability to implement successfully information technology
solutions throughout our organization; our ability to improve productivity
and streamline operations; the risks inherent in our foreign operations and
those factors listed in the Company's most recent annual report on Form
10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Changes in such
assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. The
information contained in this news release is as of the date indicated. The
Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements
contained in this news release as a result of new information or future
events or developments.
About Newell Rubbermaid
Newell Rubbermaid Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a global marketer of
consumer and commercial products with sales of over $6 billion and a strong
portfolio of brands, including Rubbermaid(R), Sharpie(R), Graco(R),
Calphalon(R), Irwin(R), Lenox(R), Levolor(R), Paper Mate(R), Dymo(R),
Waterman(R), Parker(R), Goody(R), Bernzomatic(R) and Amerock(R). The
company is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and has approximately 22,500
employees worldwide.
This press release and additional information about Newell Rubbermaid
are available on the company's Web site, http://www.newellrubbermaid.com .
NWL-AD
SOURCE Newell Rubbermaid
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Related links:
http://www.newellco.com
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CONTACT:
Nancy O'Donnell, Vice President, Investor
Relations, +1-770-407-3994, David Doolittle, Vice President,
Corporate Communications, +1-770-407-3613, both of Newell
Rubbermaid
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