Skip navigation

NEWS ROUNDUP

Panasonic Ships Battery Linenic here began shipping its new Panasonic Plus Alkaline battery line to retailers this month.The line, available in D, C, AAA, AA and 9-volt blister packs, value packs and super savers, is designed to be longer lasting for high-drain electronic devices such as 35-mm cameras with flashes, portable compact-disc players and remote-controlled toy cars. Suggested retail for

Panasonic Ships Battery Line

nic here began shipping its new Panasonic Plus Alkaline battery line to retailers this month.

The line, available in D, C, AAA, AA and 9-volt blister packs, value packs and super savers, is designed to be longer lasting for high-drain electronic devices such as 35-mm cameras with flashes, portable compact-disc players and remote-controlled toy cars. Suggested retail for a four-cell blister pack of AA-size is $5.84. The manufacturer has designed new packaging to show off the line.

Aladdin Bottle Holding Heat

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Aladdin Industries here has introduced the Aladdin Micro Magic food bottle that keeps food hot for up to six hours after microwaving for four to six minutes. Microwaving activates Aladdin's Magic Heat agent in the base of the bottle, which comes with thick foam insulation and a high-impact outer shell. "Micro Magic's technology will revolutionize the food bottle market because it provides better temperature retention than glass vacuum bottles," said Fred Meyer, the manufacturer's chairman and chief executive officer.

The food bottle can be used to reheat leftovers and other foods, while the top can be used as a serving bowl. The food bottle will keep foods cold after it has been filled with cold water for five minutes. The 17-ounce size retails for $12.99, while a 16-ounce Micro Magic mug will be available in September.

Gibson Bets on 'Batman & Robin'

CINCINNATI -- Gibson Greetings here this month rolled out a licensed line of products from the "Batman & Robin" motion picture, scheduled for release in theaters June 20. The company has secured the rights to the property through a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Comics. The line consists of greeting cards (in high-rise pop-ups, metallic and photo-frame versions), 3-D paper action assembly kits, gift wraps and bags, stickers and dress-up magnets.

This is the fourth film in the Batman series and stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Uma Thurman and Alicia Silverstone. Gibson also is preparing a product line for the film's video release in time for Christmas.

Smartalk Acquires GTI, SmarTel

LOS ANGELES -- Smartalk Teleservices here acquired GTI Telecom, Winter Park, Fla., a manufacturer and distributor of prepaid calling cards earlier this month. GTI distributes phone cards to supermarkets such as Dominick's Finer Foods, Food 4 Less and Ralphs Grocery Co.

The purchase price was approximately $70 million, involving the issuance of about 2.5 million shares of common stock and $26 million of the company's subordinated notes due 2001, as well as the assumption of about $10 million of GTI debt.

Previously the company announced the acquisition of Boston-based SmarTel Communications, a premium- and incentive-based calling card company. SmarTel creates interactive communications and value-added promotional prepaid programs for such clients as Gillette, Nabisco and Pfizer.

Libman Adds Three Brushes

ARCOLA, Ill. -- Libman Co. here has introduced three new ergonomically designed kitchen brushes as additions to its broom, mop and brush line.

Priced from $1.99 to $2.99, the new items include a curved kitchen brush with extra-durable nylon fibers for most kitchen cleaning, a curved vegetable brush made with tampico fibers, and a curved brass brush with crimped, brass fibers for tough cleaning jobs like pots and pans.