admin
Lifefactory, Inc. Closes $5M Growth Equity Financing
Lifefactory, Inc., one of the fastest growing housewares companies in the U.S., announced that it has closed a Series C growth equity financing of $5 million. The round was led by Silas Capital, with a $4 million investment, and participation from all major shareholders: Greenhouse Capital Partners, dCapital, FOFM and Big Sky Partners.
The latest round of financing comes as a result of the sustained expansion and performance of Lifefactory’s business, and will be used to further the brand’s continued impressive growth. The Company has increased revenue by over 750 percent in the last five years and has been profitable since 2012. The capital will be used to expand the team, accelerate product development and build the brand.
Lifefactory is a pioneer in reusable glass water bottles, baby bottles, and food storage solutions. Its products are made in the U.S. and E.U., and are available in over 3,000 premium retail locations and in over 20 countries. Retail partners include Amazon.com, Bed Bath & Beyond and Whole Foods Market. Lifefactory’s glass water bottles have been bestsellers in Whole Foods Market, as well as in the broader natural and specialty channel, for consecutive years.
“We believe we have a significant opportunity to help our customers live healthier and happier lives,” said Roy Mabrey, CEO of Lifefactory, Inc. “We have expanded from an initial line of baby bottles to a full assortment of product for happy, healthy families and believe we can leverage our brand platform to continue to deliver dramatic growth globally,” continued Mabrey.
Along with this financing, Carter Weiss, a Managing Partner of Silas Capital, will join the company’s Board of Directors. “The demand for healthy lifestyle brands, especially authentic ones like Lifefactory whose products are made from exceptionally high-quality materials, will continue to grow,” said Carter Weiss. “Lifefactory has great retail partnerships and strong patent protection for their innovations. They’ve also built a uniquely trusted brand with loyal and passionate customers. We are excited to be a partner to help them unlock their potential as a global brand,” added Weiss.
Learn more about Lifefactory at www.lifefactory.com.
Wilton Armetale Scores Big With Collegiate Licensing
Wilton Armetale began it’s partnership with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), Fermata and LRG over two years ago. After it’s initial ambitious introduction of more than 190 SKU’s, Armetale has grown its Collegiate offering to 41 schools and 656 products. That’s roughly doubles the size of Wilton Armetale’s core lines of products including its Classic Collection of Serveware and Gourmet Grillware lines of product.
Cast in Armetale® Metal, these functional products will perform at a high level allowing you to cook, grill or chill and serve in the same piece. Serve your favorite food to family, friends and guests. Show them that you’re a true fan and proud of it.
Armetale metal was originally formulated for use in the restaurant industry over 50 years ago. Built to be used every day, these products will last a lifetime, guaranteed. For 50 years, since 1963 Wilton Armetale has been producing customized items using this patented, food-safe alloy. Continuing with that tradition, the company offers many college favorites, embossed and cast in this durable metal that will last for generations of fandom to come.
Visit www.collegeserveware.com to see the entire Collegiate Product lines.
Las Vegas Market Raises More Than $10,000 to Benefit Gift for Life
Las Vegas Market announced that its 5th annual “Up on the Roof” gala raised $10,000 to benefit Gift for Life, the sole charitable organization for the gift, stationery and home décor industries. Held during the just-concluded Summer Las Vegas Market, the fifth annual fundraiser drew a record 310 party-goers to the Market’s WorldView Ballroom.
“Las Vegas Market is committed to supporting the gift and home décor industry and to raising awareness and funds for the essential efforts of the industry’s chosen charity,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of Gift & Home Décor, International Market Centers, and Gift for Life board member. “Over the past five years, Las Vegas Market’s Up on the Roof events have raised more than $50,000 to benefit Gift for Life.”
The gala raised money both through ticket sales as well as a special “Las Vegas-themed” silent auction that offered a wide variety of experience-oriented items.
“We appreciate the ongoing support from Las Vegas Market for our industry charity,” said Frank Joens, Gift for Life chair. “At market events, such as Las Vegas Market’s Up On The Roof, provide great visibility for our cause, and support for our fundraising efforts.”
Gift for Life, the gift and home décor industry’s volunteer group raising funds for AIDS assistance and research through DIFFA: Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS, was founded in 1992. Since then, Gift for Life has raised more than $5 million through special events, cause-related marketing, promotions, and from corporate and individual donations. For more information, visit www.giftforlife.org.
The Winter 2016 Las Vegas Market runs January 24-28, 2016 at World Market Center Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.
Planet Zak’s Star Wars Collection Makes a Bold Style Statement
Planet Zak Star Wars Collection 64-ounce Growler
Zak Designs is expanding its Planet Zak collection of on-the-go drinkware to include a new collection that features classic “Star Wars” characters.
The Star Wars™ collection from Planet Zak includes a 26-ounce Vista Tritan water bottle as well as a 29.5-ounce stainless steel water bottle, and an 18-ounce aluminum canteen with a carabineer to make it easy to clip onto bags and backpacks. For those fans who want to use the Force to help keep their cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot, the Star Wars collection from Planet Zak includes an 18-ounce and a 32-ounce double-wall stainless steel vacuum insulated bottle with iconic badges on top of a powder coated finish. For larger thirsts, the collection will also include a 39-ounce single-wall stainless steel bottle.
Stainless steel growlers in 32-ounce and 64-ounce sizes will also be a part of the collection. Featuring a dual screw-top lid that makes it easy to pour and refill, these growlers have a black powder coating and a bold Darth Vader badge – so everyone will know exactly which side of the Force you’re on.
More information is available at www.zak.com.
Victorinox Swiss Army Announces Investment in Epicurean
Epicurean USA Cutting Board
Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc., (VSAI) announced today the company will purchase an investment stake in Epicurean Cutting Surfaces, an innovative leader in cutting boards and kitchen tools manufactured in the USA. The partnership between the two companies is a culmination of many years of mutual respect for their shared commitment to innovation, quality and customer-first business values.
“Our complementary product assortments made this partnership a natural fit, however, product synergies alone don’t make for a successful business relationship,” said René Stutz, President and CEO of Victorinox Swiss Army North America. “Over the years, a mutual respect has developed between our two brands; and understandably so. We at VSAI have long admired Epicurean’s nimble innovation and fresh perspective, which is infused in everything they do. Likewise, our experience and 130-year history of growing a world-renown brand is appealing to Epicurean. But irrespective of the age of our brands, we share a commitment to quality – we do it right, or we don’t do it at all. That makes Epicurean exactly the kind of brand we want to work with.”
“High quality products, industry-leading innovation, and a brand we’re proud to stand behind – those are the tenets of the Epicurean brand that are also reflected in the way Victorinox Swiss Army has approached its business for more than 130 years. Having the opportunity to team up with a brand that’s been doing things that way with great success for more than a century only furthers our efforts. And now that our two companies are ‘officially’ partners we couldn’t be happier,” said Epicurean Cutting Surfaces co-founders Dave Benson, Greg Benson and Tony Ciardelli.
Both teams and offices will remain intact, and will operate in the manner they currently do. So what changes then, should one expect as a result of the investment deal? In a word, collaboration. Victorinox Swiss Army’s strengths lie within the commercial cutlery arena, and international markets, while Epicurean’s domestic retail business is strong; the two plan to tap into best practices and customer networks on those fronts. Additionally, co-branded projects and new products are already in the works.
The closing of the investment is expected to occur September 1, 2015.
You must be logged in to post a comment.