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Recent News and Announcements from Centre Partners

December 23, 2014

Taylor Precision Products Acquires “Best-in-Class Innovator” Chef’n

OAK BROOK, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Taylor Precision Products, Inc., a leading North American marketer of a wide range of branded consumer houseware products, announced today the acquisition of The Chef’n Corporation, an innovative design leader in the global housewares industry.

Chef’n, based in Seattle, WA, is the Company’s third acquisition since the June 2012 acquisition of Taylor by Centre Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, in conjunction with Rob Kay, who serves as Chairman & CEO. Since Mr. Kay joined Taylor, the company has doubled its size through innovative brand marketing, product development and acquisitions. Kay commented, “We are extremely excited to be adding Chef’n’s unique products and brands to the Taylor portfolio. The combination will further enhance our ability to deliver the most meaningful offerings to our retail trade partners and consumers.”
Taylor will retain Chef’n’s Seattle operations, where the company has been based for 32 years. Said Mr. Kay, “Chef’n maintains a best-in-class innovation and design team that supports the Company’s new product development efforts. We look forward to leveraging these exemplary talents across the entire Taylor organization.”

Affirmed Chef’n Founder David Holcomb, “Taylor’s category leadership, relationships with key retailers, and vision for growth made it the clear partner for Chef’n. I look forward to working with Rob and the rest of the Taylor team to execute on this vision over the coming years.” Holcomb founded Chef’n in 1982, starting with the “Garlic Machine” – an innovative device for chopping fresh garlic cloves in a clean and efficient manner. Today the Company has over 300 patents with products available in 40+ countries.

ABOUT TAYLOR

Taylor, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, is a leading North American marketer of a wide range of branded consumer houseware products – including kitchen scales, thermometers, timers, bath scales, outdoor weather measurement products, wine accessories and barware. The company’s owned and licensed brand names include Taylor®, Homedics®, Salter®, Rabbit®, Houdini™, and Eatsmart®. With a heritage dating back over 160 years, Taylor serves customers ranging from high-end specialty stores to mass merchandisers, hardware stores, club stores, grocery stores, specialty stores, and e-commerce retailers. Its market leadership is maintained by providing high-quality, attractive products at a competitive consumer prices, plus outstanding retail customer service and support. For more information on Taylor, go to www.TaylorUSA.com.

ABOUT CHEF’N

Chef’n is a leading global housewares products business that provides inventive, fun and highly functional products sold through retailers and distributors who are leaders in their categories. Product offerings include kitchen gadgets, kitchen tools, measuring and baking equipment, grinders, cleaning utensils, strainers and steamers, salad preparation tools, beverageware, and other accessories sold under the Chef’n® and Vibe® brands as well as through private label brands for select customers. For more information on Chef’n, go to www.chefn.com.


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