The Legacy Companies Announces Acquisition of Kalorik Product Lines


The deal expands the breadth of Legacy’s portfolio of brands, with a focus on the

countertop appliances space, bringing premium innovation and style at affordable prices.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – January 5, 2024The Legacy Companies, a global leader in premium kitchen and food service equipment, announces today that it has acquired the electric kitchen countertop appliance product line and the non-electric kitchen smallwares and utensils product line of Team International Group of America, Inc. d/b/a Kalorik. Terms of the asset purchase transaction were not disclosed. The Kalorik brand is a strong complement to the existing umbrella of Legacy brands, bringing top-notch innovation and style at affordable prices.

As it continues to focus on consumer innovation, the deal expands the breadth of Legacy’s brands in the countertop appliances space. The Kalorik acquisition brings the expansion of thin film transistor technology to the portfolio, including sleek, high-definition user interfaces to various product categories in kitchen appliances, featuring large, visually appealing touchscreen controls.

“We are excited to welcome the well-recognized Kalorik product lines we have acquired to the Legacy family,” said Neal Asbury, Legacy’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Kalorik product lines are strategically important to us and enhances our position in the countertop appliance market segment. The Kalorik end markets and customer base are highly complementary to our existing businesses with the potential to expand key account relationships further and to capitalize on cross-selling opportunities.”

Since its inception in 1930, Kalorik’s mission has been to engineer the latest groundbreaking technologies and make cooking faster, easier, and healthier, adapting its products to fit ever-changing lifestyles.

For more information on The Legacy Companies, visit www.TheLegacyCompanies.com. For details on the Kalorik product lines, go to www.kalorik.com.

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About The Legacy Companies
The Legacy Companies, a privately-owned company, is a leading consumer products and food service equipment provider that designs, manufactures, distributes and markets, nationally and internationally, a diverse portfolio of products under world-class brands including AdCraft®, Avanti®, Back to Basics®, Bevles®, Black Diamond®, Blakeslee®, Brama®, Chef’sChoice®, EdgeCraft®, Excalibur®, General®, Greenfield World Trade, Lunar Ice®, Maxx Cold®, Maxx Ice®, Maxx Scientific®, Omega®, Vinotemp®, Vinturi®, WestBend®, Yonanas® and Zeroll®. The Legacy Companies is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Neal Asbury Elected Chairman of the Board

ROSEMONT, ILL. (Sept. 14, 2023)—William C. McHenry, president and CEO of Widgeteer, Inc., has been elected to the board of directors of the International Housewares Association (IHA), the full-service trade association for the housewares industry. His three-year term begins Oct. 1, 2023 and ends Sept. 30, 2026.

Also elected were new board officers:
➢ Chairman – Neal Asbury, president & CEO, The Legacy Companies
➢ Vice Chairman/Chairman Elect – Paul Cosaro, CEO, Picnic Time Family of Brands
➢ Treasurer – Michael Otterman, president & CEO, Lodge Cast Iron

All officers serve one-year terms from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024.

Retiring from the board is Thomas Nichols, president, Pretika Corporation. Re-appointed for a second three-year term were: Kim Cole, CEO, Gleener, Inc.; Tom McMahon, president, JURA Inc.; Robert Michelson, president & CCO, Bradshaw Home; Keith Mirchandani, founder & CEO, Trend Makers, LLC; Michael Otterman; Luke Peters, president & CEO, NewAir LLC;.and Dan Siegel, president, Lifetime Brands.

McHenry founded Widgeteer in 2007. Widgeteer is a family owned, Chicago-area based manufacturer and importer of kitchen and home products with an emphasis on stylish and cutting-edge design. Prior to starting Widgeteer, McHenry worked for 20 years in sales, marketing and business development with Nestle, 3M and Philips, holding many senior level sales and marketing positions.

Asbury is president & CEO of The Legacy Companies, founded in 1999. The company manufactures and markets a portfolio of iconic brands that have morphed over time to strengthen their energy and relevance. Products range from kitchen appliances and cold refrigeration to wine essentials, kitchen tools and utensils. Housewares brands include Avanti, Brama, Chef’sChoice, Excalibur, MaxxIce, Omega, Sapphire, VinoTemp, Vinturi, West Bend, Yonanas and Zeroll. Asbury is a strong advocate of entrepreneurship and free enterprise, having written over 400 articles on global trade issues. In 2008, he received the coveted United States National Champion Exporter of the Year Award. He is the host of the Radio America talk show “Neal Asbury’s
Made in America,” which is nationally syndicated and broadcast by more than 300 affiliates from coast to coast. His latest book, “Mapping America,” recently released was reviewed and recognized by The New York Times as one of the best visual books of 2021. His upcoming book “Mapping the Holy Land” will be published early 2024.

Cosaro joined Picnic Time in 2011. As CEO/Captain Picnic, Cosaro says his number one responsibility is to “relentlessly strive to achieve our mission of giving people the opportunity to make lasting memories by spending time with loved ones.” The company, which started in 1982 offering European-styled picnic baskets, has evolved to design and develop an array of picnic, outdoor leisure, indoor entertaining and barware concepts under the brands ONIVA, LEGACY, TOSCANA and PICNIC TIME. Prior to joining Picnic Time, Cosaro worked at Lionsgate Entertainment where he managed partnerships with retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target, and at Capgemini Consulting, where he was a strategic and transformation consultant for major media and entertainment corporations.

Otterman joined Lodge Cast Iron, the 128-year-old U.S.-based manufacturer of cast iron cookware and cooking accessories, in 2016 as SVP, sales & marketing. He was named as the first non-family CEO in January 2019. Having more than 25 years of experience in the housewares industry, Otterman has worked for several supplier companies beginning with Applica Consumer Products’ Black & Decker Corporation from 1997-2004. Before joining Lodge, he served as vice president, global marketing & merchandising, for The Coleman Co., a division of Jarden Corp., from 2014-2016; vice president, product development, for Dick’s Sporting Goods from 2011-2013; and president of Focus Products Group from 2008-2011.

Also serving on the IHA Board are Glenn DeStefano, president, StoreBound; Scott Felsenthal, CEO, Whitmor, Inc.; Sal Gabbay, CEO, Gibson Homewares; Steve Greenspon, CEO, Honey-Can-Do International LLC and immediate past IHA chairman; Michael Hayes, chief customer officer, Newell Brands; Lisa Knierim, chief development officer, Creative Tops Inc.; Yvette Laugier, IHA chairman emeritus; and Jacob Maurer, CEO, Americas, The Cookware Company.

Serving on the executive committee of the board are Neal Asbury, Paul Cosaro, Scott Felsenthal, Steve Greenspon, Yvette Laugier, Tom McMahon and Mike Otterman.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deborah A. Teschke
847-692-0110; Dteschke@housewares.org

EDITORS NOTE:
To download digital photos of the IHA Board of Directors, go to Housewares.org/about/board-of-directors/

The International Housewares Association is the 85-year-old voice of the housewares industry. The not-for-profit, full-service association sponsors the world’s premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market (TheInspiredHomeShow.com), and offers members a wide range of services, including industry and government advocacy; export assistance; industry and consumer trends through the IHA Market Watch Report; executive management peer groups; group buying discounts on business solutions services; direct-to-consumer engagement through TheInspiredHome.com; and an independent news and information platform through HomePageNews.com.

2023-Board-IHADownload

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Continue Reading General Foodservice announces the addition of three new product lines Fryers, Ranges and Countertop Cooking Equipment.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Legacy Companies announces today that it has entered a co-branding partnership with zzysh®, based in Murten, Switzerland. Under this agreement, zzysh® will be sold and marketed in North America under The…

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Meredith Corporation’s Beautiful Kitchens & Baths to Recognize Omega Juicers’ Juice Cube as One of Its 30 Most Innovative Products for 2017

Fort Lauderdale, FL – February 13, 2017 – Omega Juicers®, a recognized leader in the juicer, blender and beverage appliance business, today announced that its Juice Cube will be featured as one of 30 Most…

Continue Reading Meredith Corporation’s Beautiful Kitchens & Baths to Recognize Omega Juicers’ Juice Cube as One of Its 30 Most Innovative Products for 2017

The Legacy Companies Announces Acquisition of Kalorik Product Lines

 The Legacy Companies Announces Acquisition of Kalorik Product Lines The deal expands the breadth of Legacy’s portfolio of brands, with a focus on the countertop appliances space, bringing premium innovation and style at affordable prices. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – January 5, 2024 – The Legacy Companies, a global leader in premium kitchen and food

Read More »

Neal Asbury Elected Chairman of the Board 

… Neal Asbury Elected Chairman of the Board ROSEMONT, ILL. (Sept. 14, 2023)—William C. McHenry, president and CEO of Widgeteer, Inc., has been elected to the board of directors of the International Housewares Association (IHA), the full-service trade association for the housewares industry. His three-year term begins Oct. 1, 2023 and ends Sept.

Read More »

The Legacy Companies Completes Acquisition of Avanti® Products in Doral, Florida

March, 5th, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fort Lauderdale, Florida (BUSINESS WIRE), The Legacy Companies has announced it has acquired Avanti® Products, a trusted brand and leader in the consumer appliance industry. Avanti® develops, manufacturers and markets compact appliances including refrigerators, freezers, ranges, microwave ovens, wine refrigerators, ice makers, water dispensers, laundry appliances and

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1880

Blakeslee

Blakeslee invented the commercial dishwashing machine. Today, there is a Blakeslee machine perfect for all of your dishwashing and food preparation needs, with many products still manufactured in the USA.

1897

Legion Industries

Legion Industries

Legion Industries is founded as the Joseph Heinrich Corporation
(Jos. Heinrichs Corp.) of New York City. In 1937, Legion Utensils Co. bought the company and subsequently became a leader in the production of deep drawn stainless steel products for the commercial food service industry.

1911

West Bend

WestBend Appliances

The West Bend Company originally manufactured aluminum cookware and electrical appliances, but also made two-stroke cycle engines including outboard boat motors. Art Ingels, known as the father of karting, used a surplus West Bend engine to power the first kart.

1933

Zeroll

Zeroll Ice Cream Scoops

Zeroll developed a unique ice cream dipper design which transferred heat from the user’s hand to the scoop making it easier for the scoop to cut through ice cream. Today, Zeroll is a leading brand in portion control scoops, kitchen accessories and ice cream scoops and spades.

1946

Bevles

Bevles Appliances

Bevles was founded in Southern California with a dedicated mission to produce the strongest, most durable proofers, cabinets and racks for the Foodservice Industry.

1950

Omega

Omega Juicers

Omega’s Founder crafts a juicer product concept to deliver what clients want in a juicer. Today, Omega is the only brand that offers consumers all styles of juicers including citrus, centrifuge, masticating and pulp ejection. Omega also manufactures blenders and an assortment of beverage equipment.

1955

General

General Food Service Equipment

General is established as a brand name trusted in food service with a robust product offering of high quality mixers, slicers, vegetable and bowl cutters, coffee, tea, and cooking equipment.

1973

Excalibur

Excalibur Food Dehydrators

Excalibur introduces the first home dehydration unit leading the way in the mechanics of heat and air flow related to food dehydration. The majority of Excalibur’s products are still manufactured in Sacramento, CA.

1985

EdgeCraft Corporation

Chef'sChoice Knife Sharpeners

EdgeCraft Corporation introduces the Chef’sChoice brand with the debut of its first electric knife sharpener. Today, Chef’sChoice has a complete small electrics product offering.

1989

Nautilus

Dol-Fyn and Nautilus introduce high-grade, stainless-steel water distillers
and a plastic countertop distiller direct to the home.

2007

Vinturi

Vinturi Wine Accessories

Vinturi debuted its first aerator, the Vinturi Red Wine Aerator, in 2007. The aerator has a patented design that speeds up the breathing process by aerating in the time it takes to pour a glass of wine.

2008

Maxximum

Maxx Ice Machines

Maxximum introduces Maxx Cold and Maxx Ice. Independent lines of refrigeration and ice equipment.

2011

Yonanas

Yonanas

In 2010, the Yonanas concept was born with the product launch officially taking place in 2011. Today, Yonanas has sold over 3 million units around the world. It is a premier lifestyle brand for an increasingly health-conscious global population.

2015

Maxx Scientific

Maxx Ice Machines

Maxx Scientific launches a full line of refrigerated appliances designed for Medical, Research, Laboratory, University and Microbiological markets with applications specified for Blood Bank, Chromotography, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Vaccine Storage, Clinical Studies and Samples

2016

Orien

The Orien facility, located in Qingdao, China, offers advanced inspection equipments, production equipments, and experimental facilities and supplies many types of ice makers.

We take pride in identifying with the heritage of the brands that have helped mold us into The Legacy Companies’ of today.