Blyth, Inc., a direct to consumer company and leading designer and marketer of candles and accessories for the home and health, wellness and beauty products, household convenience items and personalized gifts sold through the direct selling and direct marketing channels, announced that its PartyLite division, the world's largest direct-seller of candles, candle accessories and premium home fragrance products, will create a Global Center of Excellence in Batavia, Illinois for all candle manufacturing and development worldwide and will shut down its manufacturing facility in Cumbria, U.K.
The decision was reached after a comprehensive evaluation of PartyLite's two manufacturing facilities in Batavia and in Cumbria, U.K. Robert B. Goergen, Jr., chief executive officer of Blyth and president, PartyLite Worldwide said, "The Global Center of Excellence in Batavia will represent a significant investment in a state-of-the-art, global manufacturing complex with advanced process control systems and unrivaled quality and service levels. Having one facility worldwide will allow for a concentration of the company's candle-making expertise and the establishment of a single center for global innovation, research and development."
The project will commence in early 2015 and management anticipates total annualized savings of $8.0 million, or $40.0 million over the next five years, and one-time and transitional costs of approximately $6.0 million and a $2.0 million asset write-down in Cumbria.
About Blyth
Blyth, Inc., headquartered in Greenwich, CT, USA, is a direct to consumer business focused on the direct selling and direct marketing channels. It designs and markets candles and accessories for the home and also designs and markets health, wellness and beauty products, household convenience items and personalized gifts. Its products are sold direct to the consumer under the PartyLite® brand and to consumers in the catalog/Internet channel under the Miles Kimball®, Walter Drake®, Easy Comforts®, As We Change® and Exposures® brands.
Blyth, Inc. may be found on the Internet at www.blyth.com.
About PartyLite
PartyLite is the world's #1 party plan company selling candles, candle holders, flameless fragrance and wax warmers as well as holiday and home décor available in 23 countries predominately through independent PartyLite business entrepreneurs. Since 1997, the PartyLite family of consultants, customers and employees has raised more than $14 million for the American Cancer Society and nearly $4 million for Children's Miracle Network. In 2015, PartyLite celebrates 42 years as the global leader in its category and 25 years as a member of the distinguished Blyth family of direct selling companies (NYSE:BTH). PartyLite is one of 53 Direct Selling Association member companies recognized during the 2014 annual meeting for participating in DSA's Code Communication Initiative, focusing on observing and communicating the DSA Code of Ethics as widely as possible. Based in Plymouth, Massachusetts, PartyLite is a member of the Direct Selling Association and the Better Business Bureau. For more information, please visit www.partylite.com.