INDUSTRY NEWS

American Standard Brands Acquires Safety Tubs

07/28/2010

PISCATAWAY, NJ -- American Standard Brands, a leading North American manufacturer of kitchen and bath products serving both the residential and commercial markets, today announced it has acquired Safety Tubs, LLC, a privately held U.S. business specializing in the design and manufacturing of walk-in bathtubs for those with limited mobility, including the elderly, obese and disabled. �Safety Tubs will operate independently as a subsidiary of American Standard Brands called Safety Tubs Company, LLC, and will be part of a dedicated division for Assisted Living. Safety Tubs CEO, Rob Buete, will become vice president and general manager of Safety Tubs and Assisted Living.� Buete will report to Don Devine, President and CEO of American Standard Brands, an affiliate of private investment firm Sun Capital Partners, Inc. ��The Safety Tubs business, based in Grand Prairie, TX, will remain in its current location. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Safety Tubs is the second-largest manufacturer and supplier of walk-in bathtubs, which is one of the fastest growing segments of the North American plumbing market. "This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity for American Standard Brands to expand our capabilities and technology in an attractive segment where we see high demand from both consumers and commercial businesses," said Donald C. Devine, president and CEO of American Standard Brands. "American Standard and Safety Tubs have been partners for several years, with American Standard marketing Safety Tubs products under the American Standard brand to various channels. Andre Neidich, Safety Tubs owner, Rob Buete and I felt that the best way to expand the success of Safety Tubs would be to fully integrate the company into American Standard and take full advantage of American Standard's engineering, sales, marketing and distribution capabilities."�

Known for the quality of its products and innovative design and engineering, Safety Tubs is focused on improving the bathing experience for individuals that have difficulty getting in and out of the bathtub. Its products have been featured on national television shows including Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and HGTV, and have received several prestigious awards including the "Award for Design Excellence" by Design Journal for three consecutive years, "Most Valuable Product for Building Industry Professionals" by Building Products Magazine and the "Innovative Product Award" from Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine.

Having successfully completed the merger of Crane Plumbing, Eljer Plumbing and American Standard in 2008, American Standard Brands is focused on expanding its value share of the market. "We'll do this by delivering on our brand promise, 'Style That Works Better,' with great products and strategic acquisitions that bring market-leading technology to benefit the consumer and trades," said Devine. "Safety Tubs fits our investment criteria and we are excited by the growth potential this category brings to American Standard.� We will continue to actively seek other acquisitions which fit our growth strategy."