Blyth Announces Sale Of Sterno Business

Blyth (NYSE: BTH), a direct-to-consumer company and leading designer and marketer of candles, accessories for the home, and health and wellness products, today announced the sale of its Sterno business, the leading brand manufacturer and distributor of canned fuel and tabletop lighting products and accessories for the foodservice and retail sectors under the Sterno®, Handy Fuel®, QuickFlame and Sterno Decorative Lighting Collection brands to Candle Lamp Company, LLC, a portfolio company of Westar Capital LLC. Candle Lamp, based in Riverside, CA, has provided food heating and table lighting solutions to the foodservice industry for over 30 years.The divestiture of Sterno completes Blyth's strategic transformation from a multi-channel marketing company to a direct-to-consumer marketing company focused on the direct selling and direct marketing channels of distribution. Chairman & CEO Robert B. Goergen said, "Sterno has been well known for more than 100 years as the industry standard for safe, reliable canned fuel. Since its acquisition by Blyth in 1997, Sterno has enjoyed brand recognition in the U.S. foodservice industry in excess of 90%. However, Blyth's decision to focus on becoming a direct-to-consumer marketer rendered it a non-core asset. The sale of Sterno to Candle Lamp provides a unique opportunity to leverage the brand and achieve growth through core products, as well as new products and applications. We are pleased to have found a strategic fit for the Sterno business that offers its customers and employees the promise of a vibrant future."J.H. Chapman Group L.L.C. acted as financial advisor to Blyth in this transaction.Blyth, Inc., headquartered in Greenwich, CT, USA, is a direct to consumer business focused on both the direct selling and direct marketing channels. It designs and markets home fragrance products and decorative accessories, as well as weight management products, nutritional supplements and energy drink mixes. These products are sold through Direct Selling under both the home party plan and network marketing methods. The Company also designs and markets household convenience items and personalized gifts through the catalog/Internet channel. The Company manufactures most of its candles and sources nearly all of its other products. Its products are sold direct to the consumer in North America under the PartyLite®, Two Sisters Gourmet by PartyLite® and ViSalus Sciences® brands, to consumers in the catalog/Internet channel under the As We Change®, Miles Kimball®, Exposures®, Walter Drake® and Easy Comforts® brands. In Europe, Blyth's products are also sold under the PartyLite brand.