Ray LeBlanc Bart Pelton David McGee
P.O. Box 701725  P.O.Box 701725 P.O.Box 1615
San Antonio, Texas 78232 San Antonio, Texas 78232 Laredo, Texas 78044
Ph:210/496-0499 Ph:210/496-7807 Ph:956/723-1052
Fax:210/496-6074 Fax:210/496-6074 Fax:956/723-0878

 

 

This page last updated 09/09/2005

Industry News and events

Four News Items:

 Ken Quinn Passes Away: Ken is succeeded by is son Mark as the head of Quinn Broom Works

Quickie Announces New Investors: Centre Partners takes Investment Position in Quickie

African Broomcorn Program: Pictures from Africa February 2005

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Kenneth Quinn long time president of Quinn Broom Factory of Greenup, Illinois passed away March 29, 2005 he was 85 years old. His son Mark Quinn has been running Quinn Broom Works since his father's retirement in 1984. Mark would tell you that when Ken retired it really didn't change much as he continued to work in the office and the factory every day. Ken enjoyed nothing more than winding a few dozen brooms before going into the office. Ken wound his last broom in November 2004 after putting in 67 years working for Quinn Broom Works. Kenneth was born Nov. 12, 1919 in Toledo, IL. He started working for Quinn Broom Works at 18. Quinn Broom Works was founded by Kenneth's father Dewey Quinn. Ken hit the road as a salesman in 1939. He moved the company from Toledo to Greenup in 1967 where it still operates today. Kenneth was a leader in this industry and participated in several lobbying efforts to help maintain government protection from imports. He was the co-founder of the "Broomcorn Broom Manufacturers" annual meeting. This meeting was designed as a low cost way for broomcorn broom manufactures to be able to get together once a year and discuss situations critical to the industry. This group was crucial in the correction of the errors in broom duties that were introduced when the "Harmonized Tariff Schedule" was adopted in 1988. They were also heavily involved in the lobbying efforts when the "NAFTA" treaty was being negotiated. This annual meeting continues today and has been expanded to include mop manufacturers. Kenneth is survived by his wife Betty Steward whom he married on June 28, 1939. He is also survived by his son Mark who manages Quinn Broom Works and his daughter Pamela. Kenneth Quinn has been a long time Patriarch of the broomcorn broom industry and will be sorely missed by those who knew him and worked with him over the years customers, suppliers and competitors alike. 

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Quickie Announces New Investors: Centre Partners takes Investment Position in Quickie

Quickie Manufacturing Corp. Announces Growth Investment from Centre Partners

27 December 2004, 10:49am ET 

Leading North American Household Products Provider Receives Strategic
                     Investment from Private Equity Firm

CINNAMINSON, N.J., Dec. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Quickie Manufacturing Corp. announced today that it has received a strategic investment from Centre Partners and certain of its affiliates. This investment creates a partnership between Quickie's executive owners, including Chairman Peter Vosbikian, and Centre Partners. The partnership was created to support Quickie's ongoing expansion strategy of internal growth and acquisitions.

Established in 1919 by Peter Sr. and Thomas Vosbikian, Quickie is the largest North American provider of retail household cleaning tools and related products. Through a history of product innovation and dedication to customer service, Quickie has since expanded to become the leading overall supplier across North American retail channels in its market segments. Quickie produces and markets a complete line of household cleaning tools including mops, brooms, brushes, dusting tools and related accessories. With headquarters in New Jersey, Quickie also operates production facilities in Lumberton, North Carolina, El Paso, Texas, and Cadereyta, Mexico.

Centre Partners is a leading middle market private equity firm, with offices in New York and Los Angeles. Centre Partners and its affiliates have invested over $3 billion of equity capital in more than 80 private equity transactions. The private equity firm has deep experience investing in consumer products companies.

Quickie Chairman Peter Vosbikian said, "This partnership represents a key step in our company's evolution. Quickie has a strong track record of growth, and we are confident that this partnership will help underpin the next stage of our success. As a result, this investment will benefit our employees, customers, and other business partners. My management team and I look forward to a strong and successful partnership with Centre Partners."

David Jaffe, managing partner of Centre Partners, added: "We are very pleased to partner with the Vosbikian family and the rest of the Quickie management team. Quickie is the best-in-class player in its market segments with a history of superior customer service, the broadest array of innovative and high quality products, and a highly talented and experienced management team. This transaction embodies Centre Partners' strategy to make investments supporting the growth of leading middle market companies with proven management teams, strong brands, and solid operations."

Sawaya Segalas & Co., LLC, a leading consumer products investment banking firm, initiated this investment and served as exclusive financial advisor to Quickie Manufacturing Corp. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Centre Partners

Centre Partners, founded in 1986, with offices in New York City and Los Angeles, is a private equity firm with a middle market focus that seeks to make investments alongside management teams who have or desire a meaningful economic stake in the future success of their business. Centre Partners and its affiliates have invested over $3 billion of equity capital in more than 80 private equity transactions. Additional information about Centre Partners is available on the Internet at http://www.centrepartners.com .

For more information, please contact Della Sweetman, Fleishman-Hillard, phone: 619-237-7721.

 

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Amex Continues to Grow the African Broomcorn Program:

These are pictures from our February 2005 visit to the broomcorn growing regions and processing plants in Africa.

Southern Ethiopian broomcorn about 30 days from harvest: Rolando from Cadereyta visits the fields:

                                                         -More Pictures-