KITCHENWARE NEWS - Oser Communications Group

h e a d l i n e s
SiliconeZone Selects Fox Run as their
Exclusive Distributor in North America
New York – After searching for affordable
warehouse space for more than a year,
SiliconeZone USA took a different path
and chose Fox Run Craftsman as their
exclusive North American distributor
in April.
“As the company continued to grow, we
were looking for warehouse alternatives
to our existing facilities in Vermont,” said
Michael Karyo, CEO of SiliconeZone.
“We wanted to keep the warehouse local,
but we couldn’t find a space that fit our
needs,” he added. Karyo also looked at
third party warehouses, but found those
to be too expensive.
At the same time Karyo was looking for
new warehouse space, he was talking
to Sean Leonard, CEO of Fox Run,
about handling SiliconeZone sales
in Canada.
On the Fox Run side of the equation,
Leonard was looking for companies that
could fill in niches missing from the
company’s current product line of 3,000
plus SKU’s.
“I liked Sean; I liked the company,” said
Karyo. He realized that if Fox Run took
over distribution out of their warehouses,
SiliconZone could realize some cost
savings from a more centrally located
facility, and he could concentrate on
product development, marketing and sales.
By Karen Martin, Managing Editor
The distribution agreement was finalized
in late April, and Fox Run began shipping
SiliconeZone orders from their Ivyland,
Pa., warehouses in late May. SiliconeZone
continues to maintain offices in New York
and Vermont.
Fox Run took over sales in Canada, but
SiliconeZone U.S. sales reps remained in
place. Karyo said of his reps, “We have the
best sales reps in the industry. Most of
them have been with us for eight years.
They know the history of the line, and
continuity is very important for the buyers.”
In addition to the sales reps continuing on
with SiliconeZone, Karyo pointed out, “No
one is losing their job in Vermont. It was
one of my big concerns in this economy.”
The announcement of the distribution
agreement between SiliconeZone and Fox
Run came just weeks after Fox Run
completed the purchase of KitchenArt.
When asked if Fox Run was on a path to
acquire SiliconeZone, Leonard stated, “It’s
too early to say at this time.”
Leonard may not be purchasing
SiliconeZone, but he is in the buying
mood. “We are looking for more
acquisitions,” explained Leonard. “We
don’t have interest in investing in
companies that are duplicative. We are
looking to augment in niches, and one of
the areas we’d like to get into is storage.”
Fox Run Buys KitchenArt
Ivyland, PA – Impressed by its line up of
patented products and the man who created
them, kitchenware brand Fox Run
Craftsmen, based here, acquired KitchenArt
of Florence, Ala., on April 15. Rodney
Robbins, founder of KitchenArt, will stay
on in a creative capacity as vice president
of product development.
Fox Run CEO Sean Leonard said he was
most impressed with Robbins, who designs
the KitchenArt products, and his work.
“For a company of their size, they have a
tremendous amount of intellectual
property or patented products,” Leonard
said. “It is a win-win for both parties.
Rodney gets to focus on what he enjoys
doing—designing innovative solutions for
the kitchen. Fox Run has been searching
to acquire a brand with a proven ability to
design and bring proprietary products to
market for quite some time.”
Fox Run will establish a research and
development office for Robbins in
Alabama, Leonard said. Terms of the
acquisition were not disclosed. Out of the
approximately 15 KitchenArt employees,
Robbins and one of the company’s customer
service representatives will join Fox Run.
By Anna Wolfe
Founded by Robbins, KitchenArt focuses on
measuring gadgets and spice dispensing
products. Back in 2003, KitchenArt received
the Gourmet Housewares Show’s Gourmet
Gold award for best new product for its
Ergonomic Locking Organization System
gadget sets. Leonard said the brand’s best
known product is a toss-up between the Spice
Carousel and the Adjustaspoon adjustable
measuring spoon and its sister Adjustacup.
With some different sales representatives
for Fox Run and KitchenArt, Leonard said
he has been flooded with calls from the
independent reps. “That’s the million
dollar question; we’re working through
that right now,” he said in an April 16
interview. “We’re not doing a sweepingchange
thing. At the end of the day,
we’re doing what’s best for the customer.”
Founded more than 50 years ago, Fox Run’s
broad lineup of kitchen products include
well-known brand names such as Fox Run
Kitchens, Old Craftsmen, Nantucket
Seafood Tools, Ironwood Gourmet and
Argyle wine accessories.
Anna Wolfe is the editor of Gourmet News. She
can be reached at awolfe@gourmentnews.com.
VERTERRA DINNERWARE
The VerTerra dinnerware collection
consists of a variety of eco-friendly
and thoughtfully designed plates,
bowls and platters. VerTerra is a
durable and versatile single-use
product. Use it to reheat food in the
microwave, bake in the oven or cool
in the fridge.
These environmentally-friendly plates,
bowls and serving dishes are made
from 100 percent renewable and
compostable fallen leaves and
water. That’s it. No chemicals, waxes
or dyes, like those found in
disposable paper and plastic
options. No harmful toxins that can
leach into food.
VerTerra products are made in South
Asia, where employees receive fair
wages in safe working conditions
and are provided access to
healthcare.
Suggested Retail Price:
$7.99-8 a piece for a set of bowls
VerTerra Dinnerware
[tel] 718-383-3333
[email] sales@verterra.com
www.verterra.com
SIGNATURE’S
NEW COLOR FOR GREEN TEA
Signature Housewares updates their
Green Tea line with a new color. The
line is now available in red, green,
yellow and brown. The line includes a
teapot with a bamboo handle and
infuser, a mug with infuser and lid and
an air tight canister with spoon. The
Green Tea line is made of stoneware.
Signature Housewares, Inc.
[tel] 805-484-6666
www.sighouse.com
CDN’S PROACCURATE ®
WATER-RESISTANT THERMOMETER
Slim, accurate and water-resistant, the
new CDN ProAccurate Quick-Read ®
Water-Resistant Pocket Thermometer
offers added functionality and
convenience for measuring the
temperature of food in the kitchen.
Featuring CDN’s exclusive Quick-Read
six to eight-second response, this handy
thermometer can withstand moisture
and humidity and will continue to work
accurately even if accidentally
submerged. It is shatterproof and highheat
resistant, featuring a wide
temperature range from—from -40 to
+450 degrees Fahrenheit. The 2 ¾-inch
long stem, made of 304 stainless steel,
is designed with a slimmer 2.5 millimeter
tip that allows for easy insertion into
the food. The stem’s protective sheath
can double as a handle extension. The
handle features a temperature guide
for easy reference and the large, easyto-push
buttons add to its ease of use.
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99
Component Design Northwest
[tel] 800-338-5594
[email] info@cdnw.com
www.cdn-timeandtemp.com
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| Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • JUNE 2009