ScottsMiracle-Gro® expands licensing program to continue its focus on bringing consumers innovative lawn and garden solutions

MARYSVILLE, Ohio, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --  ScottsMiracle-Gro® (NYSE: SMG), the world's largest marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products, together with Seltzer Licensing Group, their exclusive licensing agency, announces two new licensing partners and several new products to complement the existing offering.

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With the addition of the TTI Group (outdoor power tools) and West Chester Protective Gear (lawn & garden gloves), the ScottsMiracle-Gro® licensing program has now grown to include nine strategic partners, including Acme United Corporation (cutting tools), American Lawn Mower Company (reel lawn mowers), Bond Manufacturing (plant support accessories), Greenscapes (lawn fabric), Peachtree Playthings (children's garden kits), Radius Garden, LLC (ergonomic hand tools), and Swan Products, LLC (hoses & nozzles).  "Our focus will continue to be to create easier and more enjoyable lawn and garden experiences for consumers and we are proud to partner with these great companies to offer innovative products that do just that," said Glenn Neilson, director of marketing for The ScottsMiracle-Gro® Company. Some of the highlights officially launching this spring season include:

An assortment of innovative Scotts® and Miracle-Gro® branded garden tools from Acme United, a leader in cutting tool technology for over 130 years. The tools feature corrosion resistant titanium-bonded stainless steel for blades that stay sharper longer.  The Scotts tools integrate antimicrobial technology to help prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus on both the handles and cutting blades and also feature patented "Tool-Less Blade Change" technology, allowing the user to change from a bypass blade to an anvil blade to a snip in seconds. This technology provides multiple cutting options while simplifying sharpening and cleaning.  The Miracle-Gro® products and packaging are made entirely from recycled materials. The tools are launched this May at retailers across the country.

In the watering aisle, Swan Products, LLC, introduces the Scotts® MaxFLEX™ hose with proprietary "Lay-Flat Technology™" which uses a special co-polymer to make it truly kink resistant and provides superior scuff resistance. Its oversized super duty crush proof couplings are lead free aluminum and include a patented Hose Armor"™ that prevents the hose from binding at the spigot when pulled.  Swan touts this hose, which is 30% lighter than comparable hoses, as "finally a hose you can love." For Miracle-Gro, Swan introduces the new Miracle-Gro® SoakerSystem™ a soaking system that is totally customizable with its EZ Connectors™ made for the gardener/landscaper. The system slowly weeps water to the root zone where it's needed most through the special soaker hose.  

"We are excited to be working with these respected, trusted and strong brands and look forward to bringing more great lawn and garden products to consumers," commented Miguel Nistal, president of Swan Products.

Also launching this May is a line-up of SCOTTS® highly innovative cordless outdoor power tools from TTI, a global leader in power tools and outdoor power equipment.  The SCOTTS® SYNC™ SYSTEM includes a string trimmer, hedge trimmer, chain saw, and blower; all powered by a 20V Lithium-Ion battery.  The innovative charging station allows the user to charge the battery on the tool or alone like a traditional charger.  This system is the first in its class to offer this capability.

All nine companies will unveil several new licensed products under the Scotts® and Miracle-Gro® brands at the National Hardware Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, May 6-8, 2014. 

"We continue to explore new licensing opportunities and push current licensees to innovate, in an effort to bring consumers lawn and garden solutions that help them achieve the beautiful lawns and gardens that have become synonymous with Scotts and Miracle-Gro," added Stu Seltzer, president of Seltzer Licensing Group.

About The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

With more than $2.8 billion in worldwide sales, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europeexclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In the U.S., we operate Scotts LawnService®, the second largest residential lawn care service business.  In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

About ACME United Corporation

ACME United Corporation is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative cutting, measuring and safety products to the school, home, office, hardware and industrial markets. Its leading brands include Camillus®, Clauss®, Cuda®, Pac Kit®, PhysiciansCare®, Westcott® and Western®.   Visit us at www.acmeunited.com

About Swan Products, LLC

SWAN®, established in 1927, is the leading manufacturer of garden hoses in North America. With factories throughout the USA, Swan manufacturers hoses under the Swan®, Waterworks®, Element®, Scotts® and Miracle-Gro® brands. Swan's product can be found in nearly every retailer in North America and our products provide the best features, best quality and best performance of any garden hose.

About TTI Group

TTI is a world-class leader in design, manufacturing and marketing of Power Tools, Outdoor Power Equipment, and Floor Care and Appliances for consumers, professional and industrial users in the home improvement, repair and construction industries. Our unrelenting strategic focus on Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Operational Excellence and Exceptional People drives our culture.

About The Additional Licensees

The following are the current Scotts Miracle-Gro licensees:

• American Mower – Reel lawn mowers: (www.Reelin.com)
• Bond – Plant support accessories: (www.BondMfg.com)
• Greenscapes – Lawn fabric:(www.greenscapesinc.com)
• Peachtree Playthings – Children's garden kits: (www.PeachtreePlaythings.com)
• Radius Garden, LLC – Ergonomic gardening tools: (www.RadiusGarden.com)
• West Chester – Lawn & Garden Gloves: (http://www.westchestergear.com/)

About Seltzer Licensing Group

Seltzer Licensing Group, www.SeltzerLicensing.com , is a full service licensing agency and consulting firm founded in 1998 and based in New York City focusing on revenue growth for its clients through licensing partnerships. Their services include creation and implementation of licensing strategic plans; acquisition of licenses; evaluation of current licensing programs; and execution of licensing strategies. Seltzer Licensing Group currently represents Del-Monte, Nautilus and Unilever (representing Good Humor, Popsicle, Breyers, Klondike, Wish-Bone, Ragu, Suave, and Lipton). Other past and current clients include Fortune 500 manufacturers, National non-profits, leading retailers, and global hospitality companies.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7220351-scottsmiracle-gro-expands-licensing-program-bring-lawn-garden-solutions

SOURCE The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company