FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JH Partners Invests in VIOlight
Innovative toothbrush sanitizer fills niche in oral health market
SAN FRANCISCO - July 20, 2005 -- Today JH Partners LLC, a private equity firm based in San Francisco, announced it has invested in VIOlight, Inc. maker of the VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer & Storage System, a revolutionary consumer product utilizing an ultraviolet (UV) bulb to eliminate germs and bacteria in toothbrushes.
"VIOlight's innovative and differentiated product is well positioned to capitalize on the growing market for oral health products," said Pat Collins of JH Partners.
"The ample opportunities to grow VIOlight's distribution channels and broaden the application of its technology make it a particularly attractive investment and a good fit for our strategy."
"We're excited to be working with Joel Pinsky, VIOlight's founder, to help the company maximize its growth potential," added Mr. Collins.
"JH Partners provides investment capital to help accelerate VIOlight's growth, and even better, their talented team, with many years of hands-on operating experience, will help guide our business going forward," said Joel Pinsky, founder of VIOlight.
"Our new relationship with JH Partners puts VIOlight on a fast-track to create a whole new category in oral hygiene, and to create safe, effective UV-based appliances for every part of the health-conscious home."
Mr. Pinsky founded the company to fill an important unmet need in the oral hygiene market. Toothbrushes harbor millions of microorganisms that translate into harmful bacteria that cannot simply be rinsed away with water. The VIOlight product not only eliminates up to 99.9 percent of toothbrush germs in ten minutes, but it also uses UV light rather than heat or steam which is much safer, and easy to use. In addition, VIOlight is compact and carries a sleek, versatile design by Philippe Starck.
The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About VIOlight
VIOlight, based in Elmsford, New York, offers consumers the VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer & Storage System, a revolutionary product utilizing an ultraviolet (UV) bulb to eliminate germs and bacteria in toothbrushes. Laboratory tests show the technology eliminates up to 99.9% of toothbrush germs, safeguarding the whole family from harmful bacteria and cross contamination. The sleek, unobtrusive Philippe Starck design is a welcome addition to anyone's bathroom. VIOlight was a Gold Winner of BusinessWeek's Industrial Design Excellence Award in 2005, was listed as one of Time Magazine's "Coolest Inventions of the Year" in 2004, and has been featured on television programs ranging from CNN to The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Additional information may be found at www.violight.com.
About JH Partners LLC
JH Partners is a San Francisco-based private equity firm focused on investments in growth-oriented middle market consumer products and services companies. The firm distinguishes itself among private equity firms in that each of its principals has senior-level operating experience building middle-market consumer related businesses. JH Partners has been instrumental in aiding the growth of powerful consumer brands, including Peet's Coffee & Tea, Bare Escentuals, Performance Bicycle Shop, Bell Helmets, and Design Within Reach, among others. Additional information may be found at www.jhco.com.
Contact:
Pat CollinsDan Hilley
Abernathy MacGregor Group
213-630-6550
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