Jarden Completes Acquisition of U.S. Playing Card Co.

Jarden Corporation recently announced that it has completed the acquisition of United States Playing Card Company. Jarden now owns approximately 75% of USPC, according to a press release.

Founded in 1876, USPC is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of playing cards and a leader in marketing children's card games, collectible tins, puzzles and card accessories for the North American retail market and is also the largest supplier of premium playing cards to casinos worldwide.

USPC brands include Aviator, Bee, Bicycle, and Hoyle. USPC's international holdings include Naipes Heraclio Fournier, S.A., a leading playing card manufacturer in Europe.

Martin E. Franklin, chairman and CEO of Jarden Corporation, commented in the release, "The acquisition of USPC exemplifies our ability to identify and obtain industry leading businesses with strong brands in niche consumer product markets. This acquisition is also noteworthy since, in addition to further diversifying our portfolio of brands, we are also extending our global reach through USPC's established European distribution channel."

Jarden Corporation is a leading provider of niche consumer products used in and around the home, under well-known brand names including Ball, Bernardin, Crawford, Diamond, FoodSaver, Forster, Kerr, Lehigh, Leslie-Locke, Loew-Cornell and VillaWare.

In North America, Jarden is the market leader in several targeted consumer categories, including home canning, home vacuum packaging, kitchen matches, plastic cutlery, rope, cord and twine and toothpicks. Jarden also manufactures zinc strip and a wide array of plastic products for third party consumer product and medical companies, as well as its own businesses.