Newell Expands in Japan

Article Excerpt

NEWELL RUBBERMAID INC. $24 (New York symbol NWL; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 279.3 million; Market cap: $6.7 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) has acquired Japan’s Aprica Kassai Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Aprica makes strollers, car seats and other children’s products. The purchase gives Newell a premium brand with a leading position in Japan. The 60-year-old brand has a strong international reputation for pediatric research and child safety. It also has proprietary technology in lightweight strollers and car seats. Newell plans to work with Aprica’s founding family to establish a new joint foundation for pediatric research that will remain in the family’s name. The Kassai family already operates a research organization focused on pediatrics and parenting. Some of this research shows up in Aprica’s product offerings. Other research is shared publicly. Newell currently makes a wide variety of children’s products under the Graco brand. Last year, it acquired the Teutonia brand to accelerate growth in Europe. With Aprica, Newell now owns…