Press release
18 July 2006
Clearlite Limited Announces Acquisition of Athena Products
Clearlite Limited, New Zealand’s leading bathroomware manufacturer, today announced it has reached agreement to acquire
the assets of Athena Products. Completion of the acquisition is anticipated to be 31 August 2006.
John Morgan, Chairman of Clearlite, advised that the existing shareholders of Athena will have a stakeholding in
Clearlite and Gary Guernier, currently Managing Director of Athena, will join the Board of Clearlite.
Both Clearlite and Athena manufacture a range of bathroomware products including showers, baths, vanity cabinets, and
accessories that are distributed via plumbing and building merchants in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
In announcing the acquisition, Morgan added, “the combined revenue of Clearlite and Athena will be $50m. Both companies
have very strong brands with complementary product ranges with reputations for high quality products. Combining the
companies will bring operational and service benefits to suppliers and customers alike and ensure New Zealand retains a
world-class competitive bathroomware manufacturing capability.”
Morgan is also enthusiastic about the industry experience that Guernier will bring to the Clearlite Board.
Speaking on behalf of the current Athena shareholders Guernier commented, “combining the two companies is a logical step
for the bathroomware industry in New Zealand. Plumbing and building merchants will welcome the strengthening of their
supply chain and the efficiencies that can be derived from a larger and stronger entity”.
Clearlite employs 100 people and has a manufacturing facility on the North Shore of Auckland whilst Athena employs 80
people and has a manufacturing facility in Avondale, West Auckland. Morgan stated that both manufacturing operations
would be retained.
ENDS