PartyLite To Create Global Manufacturing Center Of Excellence

Blyth, Inc. BTH, 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.