EL PASO, Texas, Sep 30, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Helen of Troy Limited
(Nasdaq: HELE) designer, developer and worldwide marketer of brand-name
personal care and household consumer products, today announced that it has
acquired the Skin Milk(R) and TimeBlock(R) brands of skin care products from
Naterra International, Inc. of Dallas, Texas. Terms of the transaction were
not announced.
These brands will complement and expand the range of skin and hair care
products being marketed by Idelle Labs, the Company's grooming, skin and hair
care division. Idelle Labs also markets a variety of personal care products
under the Brut(R), Vitalis(R), Final Net(R), Ammens(R), Sea Breeze(R),
Condition 3-in-1(R), and Vitapointe(R) brand names. Sales of the Skin Milk(R)
and TimeBlock(R) product lines for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2006
are anticipated to be approximately $15 million.
The Skin Milk(R) line of products capitalizes on the natural benefits of
milk products in skin care. The brand, which currently includes facial wash
and scrub, shower gel, and body lotions and creams, is available in a wide
range of mass merchandisers, drug and grocery stores.
Launched earlier this year, the TimeBlock(R) line of products includes
Line Control Serum, Firming Eye Cream, Daily Moisturizer and other products,
all of which contain Indol-3(TM). Helen of Troy has obtained patent rights to
Indol-3(TM), which in clinical studies has been shown to visibly reduce the
appearance of fine lines and other signs of aging.
Gerald J. Rubin, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Helen
of Troy stated, "We see great potential in the Skin Milk(R) and TimeBlock(R)
brands. The anti-aging product category is one of the fastest growing
consumer product segments, and with the addition of these brands we believe we
will be better positioned to participate in that growth. By combining these
brand names with the strength of our sales, marketing and distribution
capabilities, we are confident that these exciting brands can become
significant contributors to the Helen of Troy family of branded consumer
products."
Helen of Troy Limited is a leading designer, producer and global marketer
of brand-name personal care and household consumer products. The Company's
personal care products include hair dryers, curling irons, hair setters,
women's shavers, brushes, combs, hair accessories, home hair clippers,
mirrors, foot baths, body massagers, paraffin baths, liquid hair styling
products, body powder and skin care products. The Company's household
products include consumer product tools in the kitchen, cleaning, barbecue,
barware, storage, organization, garden and automotive categories. The
Company's products are sold by mass merchandisers, drug chains, warehouse
clubs and grocery stores under licensed trademarks including Vidal Sassoon(R),
licensed from The Procter & Gamble Company, Revlon(R), licensed from Revlon
Consumer Products Corporation, Dr. Scholl's(R), licensed from Schering-Plough
HealthCare Products, Inc., Sunbeam(R), Health at Home(R) and Health o meter(R)
licensed from Sunbeam Products, Inc., Sea Breeze(R), licensed from Shiseido
Company Ltd., and Vitapointe(R), licensed from Sara Lee Household and Body
Care UK Limited. Helen of Troy's owned brands include OXO(R), Brut(R),
Vitalis(R), Final Net(R), Ammens(R), Condition 3-in-1(R), Skin Milk(R),
TimeBlock(R), Dazey(R), Caruso(R), Karina(R), DCNL(TM), Nandi (TM),
Isobel(TM), and WaveRage(R). The Company also markets hair and beauty care
products under the Helen of Troy(R), Hot Tools(R), Hot Spa(R), Salon
Edition(R), Gallery Series(R), and Wigo(R) trademarks to the professional
beauty salon industry.
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements, which
are subject to change. A number of risks or uncertainties could cause actual
results to differ materially from historical or anticipated results.
Generally, the words "anticipates," "believes", "expects" and other similar
words identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements
included in this release include (i) the amount of the anticipated sales of
the Skin Milk(R) and TimeBlock(R) product lines which were derived from
management's analysis of forecasted future sales (ii) the health related
benefits which may be derived by a user of the products, and (iii) the
possible future contributions of these products to the growth of the Company.
Readers are also cautioned that the products are not subject to regulation by
the Federal Drug Administration and the clinical studies referred to in this
press release are privately funded research studies by the seller. The
Company cautions readers to not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. The actual results may differ materially from those described in
any forward-looking statements. The Company intends its forward-looking
statements to speak only as of the time of such statements, and does not
undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available.
Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect the
Company's financial results is included in the Company's Form 10-K for the
year ended February 29, 2004, and the Form 10-Q dated May 31, 2004.
SOURCE Helen of Troy Limited
Robert D. Spear, Senior Vice President and CIO of Helen of Troy
Limited, +1-915-225-4748
http://www.hotus.com