May 11, 2009

Midwest-CBK Join Forces to Create the Country’s Premiere Gift, Holiday, Candle, Home and Garden Decor Company

Cannon Falls, MN – Midwest of Cannon Falls, Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of the Colonial Candle® and Seasons of Cannon Falls® brand products, and CBK Styles, Inc., a leading wholesaler of quality home and garden décor, gifts and accessories under the CBK Styles® brand, proudly announce today a major merger in the giftware and home décor industries, with the introduction of Midwest-CBK, a premiere home accents company. The newly combined company, Midwest-CBK, unites two renowned and highly respected market leaders, combining the strengths of both companies with best-in-class people, products, service and support into one source for independent retailers. The Midwest-CBK merger will be led by Frederic Contino as president, with Terry Stewart as executive vice president of sales, Renee Solczak as vice president of national accounts, and Renee Williams as vice president of independent accounts.

“We are excited and proud to combine the power and resources of two extraordinary, successful companies with strong values and similar business practices into one, creating the foremost single source for outstanding products, as well as a renowned sales force and superior customer service for independent retailers,” says Frederic Contino, president, Midwest-CBK. “Although Midwest and CBK have their own unique and separate histories, we have always shared a common goal of serving the same independent retailers with outstanding, on-trend, competitively priced products, and backing that up with a dedicated sales force and responsive, reliable customer service. Our alliance brings many benefits and opportunities to retailers through an unmatched selection of gift and home products from one company, more innovation in products and programs, depth of design, sourcing, manufacturing resources and customer service and support, backed by a company that is stronger than ever as one.”

“As Midwest-CBK’s parent company, Blyth has made an investment in combining these two power players, showing our confidence in the giftware and home décor industries, and in the growth opportunities of Midwest-CBK,” said Robert B. Goergen, Jr., president of Blyth, Inc.’s Multi-Channel Group.

Midwest-CBK will continue to offer its three key brands: Seasons of Cannon Falls, Colonial Candle and CBK Styles. The company will operate with offices and manufacturing plants in Cannon Falls, Minn.; Elkin, N.C.; Franklin, Tenn.; Hong Kong; Shenzhen, China; and Union City, Tenn.

The merged Midwest-CBK will provide retailers:

• The broadest range and styles of holiday, seasonal, gift, candle, home and garden décor products from one company.
• Greater field support at the store level to help drive retail business.
• A commitment to design and innovation.
• More convenient showroom locations across the U.S., with eight locations totaling over 100,000 combined square feet.
• Industry-renowned customer service that is responsive and reliable.
• Retailer-friendly web sites with full ordering capabilities to make order placement and management easy and accessible any time.
• State-of-the-art distribution centers in Elkin, N.C., and Union City, T.N.
• A strong partner with a long-term strategy to help retailers grow and succeed.

For more information about the Midwest-CBK merger or product lines, please contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager, visit one of Midwest-CBK’s eight showrooms, or call Midwest-CBK at 800-776-2075, or visit www.midwestofcannonfalls or www.cbkhome.com.