Rauch Industries, Inc. Acquires Jay Strongwater LLC

GASTONIA, N.C., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rauch Industries, Inc., a market leader in the holiday giftware and seasonal goods industries and parent company of Christopher Radko®, today announced that it has acquired substantially all the assets of Jay Strongwater LLC, an internationally recognized luxury brand of home and personal accessories by designer Jay Strongwater. The acquisition will further leverage the unique strengths of both brands and further solidifies Rauch Industries, Inc. as a leading force in the seasonal and home décor industries. Rauch is led by CEO Heather Shepardson and controlled by lead investor Murry N. Gunty.

Rauch Industries, Inc. began as a family business in 1952 and its products have decorated homes for more than half a century. Today, the Rauch brand is a market leader in the holiday giftware and seasonal goods industries and designs and distributes under the Rauch, Christopher Radko® and Shiny Brite™ brands, as well as a new collection of affordable, "fast fashion"-inspired ornaments debuting this Fall. Rauch distributes through mass retailers, department stores and independent gift retailers nationwide.

Through this acquisition, Rauch will strengthen and increase its home décor offerings, adding to its lineup the diverse design luxuries of the Jay Strongwater brand which includes: handcrafted, enameled, and bejeweled frames, vases, bowls, boxes, serving accessories, charms, pins, furniture, textiles, holiday collections and figurines ranging from collectible miniatures to grand-scale art objets. As part of the terms of the deal, Jay Strongwater will remain Chief Creative Director.

"We are very excited to add Jay Strongwater - both the brand and the talented visionary behind it - to our Rauch family," said Heather Shepardson, CEO, Rauch Industries, Inc. "For well over half a century, Rauch has been bringing holiday and seasonal décor to countless homes around the country. Together the Christopher Radko and Jay Strongwater collections will collectively bring even more beauty to the masses, with discerning design treasures for every home both during the holidays and year round."

"We are thrilled to add Jay Strongwater to the Rauch family," said Murry Gunty. "We believe we have assembled one of the strongest teams in the giftware industry along with an enviable group of brands."

About Rauch Industries, Inc.

Rauch began as a family business in 1952. Its products, which include ornamental glass balls, tree skirts, stockings and more, have decorated homes for more than half a century. Today, the Rauch brand is a market leader in the holiday giftware and seasonal goods industries. The company designs and distributes its leading products under the Rauch, Christopher Radko® and the United States. Growing to encompass several additional lines of holiday décor, the line includes "Home for the Holidays" and Shiny Brite™ brands and distributes through mass retailers, department stores and independent gift retailers nationwide. Rauch's corporate headquarters is in New York City and distribution center is located in Gastonia, North Carolina. For more information about the company, feel free to call (800) 71-RADKO or send an email to [email protected]

About Christopher Radko

Once upon a Holiday Night, a Christmas tree fell and startled the Radko family household. With more than 1,000 vintage mouth-blown glass ornaments broken to bits, Christopher was distraught. Searching endlessly to replace them, he found nothing quite good enough to replace his treasured memories. He soon realized that the only option was to start from scratch. Thus began the creation of Christopher Radko Ornaments. Today, after thirty years of designing and creating, the Christopher Radko Company has produced more than eighteen million fine European glass ornaments that have become a part of family traditions across the United States. Growing to encompass several additional lines of holiday décor, the line includes "Home for the Holidays" and Shiny Brite™, a vintage-inspired line featuring recreations of uniquely American ornaments, lighting and accessories first made popular in the 1940's and 50's. The magical heirlooms produced by the Christopher Radko Company have brought joy and happiness into homes worldwide, creating ever-lasting traditions throughout the years. Christopher Radko ornaments have decorated the White House, adorned the Kennedy Center, and garnished the personal collections of celebrities such as Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, John Travolta, Robert DeNiro, Elizabeth Taylor, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. For more information, please visit www.christopherradko.com

About Jay Strongwater LLC
Led by renowned designer and creative director Jay Strongwater, Jay Strongwater LLC offers a sparkling collection of handcrafted, enameled, and bejeweled frames, vases, bowls, boxes, serving accessories, charms, pins, and figurines ranging from collectible miniatures to grand-scale art objets. The company, founded in 1995 and headquartered in New York City, has established a reputation throughout the world for its uniquely designed and handcrafted "jewels for the home," and ranks among the most important premium luxury brands in its distribution channels. Jay Strongwater is distributed in leading luxury department stores, fine independent retailers and through its direct to consumer business. For more information, please visit www.jaystrongwater.com

Press Contact: Amy Pearson [email protected]

SOURCE Rauch Industries, Inc.