Taylor Acquires Chef’n

Taylor Precision Products Inc., a leading North American marketer of a wide range of branded consumer housewares products, has acquired The Chef’n Corp., an innovative design leader in the global housewares industry.

Chef’n, based in Seattle, is the company’s third acquisition since the June 2012 acquisition of Taylor by Centre Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, in conjunction with Rob Kay, who serves as chairman and CEO. 

Since Kay joined Taylor, the company has doubled its size through innovative brand marketing, product development and acquisitions. Kay commented, “We are extremely excited to be adding Chef’n’s unique products and brands to the Taylor portfolio. The combination will further enhance our ability to deliver the most meaningful offerings to our retail trade partners and consumers.”

Taylor will retain Chef’n’s Seattle operations, where the company has been based for 32 years. “Chef’n maintains a best-in-class innovation and design team that supports the company’s new product development efforts,” said Kay. “We look forward to leveraging these exemplary talents across the entire Taylor organization.”

David Holcomb, Chef’n founder, affirmed: “Taylor’s category leadership, relationships with key retailers and vision for growth made it the clear partner for Chef’n. I look forward to working with Rob and the rest of the Taylor team to execute on this vision over the coming years.” 

Holcomb founded Chef’n in 1982. Today, the company has more than 300 patents with products available in 40-plus countries.

Taylor, based in Oak Brook, Ill., is a leading marketer of  kitchen scales, thermometers, timers, bath scales, outdoor weather measurement products, wine accessories and barware. The company’s owned and licensed brand names include Taylor, Homedics, Salter, Rabbit, Houdini and Eatsmart. 

Chef’n is a leading global housewares products business that provides inventive, fun and highly functional products sold through retailers and distributors. Product offerings include kitchen gadgets, kitchen tools, measuring and baking equipment, grinders, cleaning utensils, strainers and steamers, salad preparation tools, beverageware and other accessories sold under the Chef’n and Vibe brands, as well as through private-label brands for select customers.