Taylor Precision Products Acquires Metrokane

Taylor Precision Products Inc., a maker of consumer and professional measurement devices, has acquired Metrokane Inc., a marketer of wine accessories and barware, sold primarily under the Rabbit and Houdini brand names.  

Metrokane is the company’s second acquisition since the June 2012 buyout of Taylor by Centre Partners, a New York private equity firm, in conjunction with Rob Kay, who became executive chairman. Since Kay joined Taylor, the company has broadened its product offerings through new product development and strategic acquisitions. 

The acquisition of Metrokane and a niche bath and kitchen scale brand have now increased Taylor’s revenues by more than 50 percent. “We are extremely excited to be adding the world-class brands and products of Metrokane, who created the wine accessory category over the past 15 years,” said Kay. “This combination will further enhance Taylor’s capability to offer the most meaningful brands and products to our retail trade partners, and builds a strong cornerstone addition to our growing portfolio.” 

Taylor will retain the sales, marketing and product design capabilities that have been the hallmark of Metrokane’s success. “The founders, Riki Kane and Bob Larimer, will remain with the company for a long transition period,” said Kay. “We respect what Kane and her team have accomplished and will continue to support their brands, products and innovations in product design and packaging.”   

 “Rob’s vision for growth makes it clear that Taylor is the right partner for Metrokane, with the resources to take our business to the next level,” said Kane. Kane founded Metrokane in New York in 1983, starting with a manual citrus juicer she discovered in Mexico. In 2000, the company introduced the Rabbit Corkscrew, the first of more than a hundred wine accessory and barware products.  

Taylor, based in Oak Brook, Ill., markets consumer and foodservice precision measurement products such as kitchen scales, thermometers, timers, bath scales and outdoor weather measurement products. The company’s owned and licensed brand names include Taylor, Homedics and Salter.