COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Balloon Time, the leading brand of consumer helium balloon kits in the
United States, has announced that approximately 200 Kroger stores in the
Great Lakes region are now carrying the brand’s
flagship product, Balloon Time 30 Helium Balloon Kit. Balloon Time is a
product of Worthington Cylinders, a Worthington Industries (NYSE:WOR)
company.
The Balloon Time line features portable, disposable helium balloon kits
that include a helium-filled tank, balloons and ribbon so consumers can
decorate for a party or have a rainy day activity in the comfort of
their own home.
“Kroger’s desire to
carry the product speaks not only to its quality but also its sales
track record and the integrated national marketing support it receives,”
said Greg Shakley, director of retail sales for Balloon Time. “Our
year-to-date sales are up 25 percent from 2005 throughout the product
line.”
In addition to an increased retail network, much of Balloon Time’s
success can be contributed to increased marketing support. The brand is
reaching out to consumers in new ways through national print and online
advertising, in-store demonstrations, paid search with Google and Yahoo!
Search, event marketing and public relations efforts. The new
advertising initiatives include a partnership with Nick Jr. Family
Magazine, NickJr.com and Paramount Parks.
“To complement our advertising, we have a
strong retail partnership program that provides both live and video
product demonstrations throughout the year with several of our retailers,”
said Natalie Bunevich, marketing manager for Balloon Time.
The brand’s public relations support has
focused on reaching out to consumers through earned editorial in
consumer-focused media outlets and recognition through award programs.
Since the start of the year, public relations initiatives have resulted
in the Balloon Time 30 Helium Balloon Kit receiving a Preferred Choice
Award from Creative Child magazine and a Silver Award from the
Family Review Center.
As Balloon Time moves toward its silver anniversary, the brand plans to
continue offering consumers more options within the product line to fit
their party planning needs. This direction is clearly defined with the
introduction of the Balloon Time Party™ Foil
Helium Balloon Kit which offers consumers a new party planning option in
foil balloons with the same convenience and low price of traditional
Balloon Time helium balloon kits.
About Balloon Time
Balloon Time is the leading brand of helium balloon kits for consumers
in the United States. Balloon Time’s family
of products includes Balloon Time 30 Helium Balloon Kit, Balloon Time 50
Helium Balloon Kit, Balloon Time A La Carte helium tank, Balloon Time
Party Create-A-Face Sticker Kit and Balloon Time Party Foil Helium
Balloon Kit. The kits retail from $19.99 - $29.99 and are available at a
variety of retailers globally. Visit BalloonTime.com to learn
more about Balloon Time and its family of products or to locate a
retailer. Balloon Time products are manufactured by Worthington
Cylinders, a Worthington Industries company.
About Worthington Cylinders
Worthington Cylinders is the leading global supplier of pressure
cylinders, continually delivering solutions to its customers while
exceeding their expectations in quality, service and value. Worthington
Cylinders offers the most complete line of pressure cylinders in the
industry, including liquefied petroleum, refrigerant and industrial gas
cylinders, air brake tanks and consumer products.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company operates eight ISO
9001-certified facilities in the United States, Austria, Canada,
Portugal and Czech Republic supplying to more than 70 countries
worldwide. Worthington Cylinders is a Worthington Industries Company
(NYSE:WOR).
About Worthington Industries
Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metal processing company
with annual sales of nearly $3 billion. The Columbus, Ohio-based company
is North America’s premier value-added steel
processor and a leader in manufactured products such as automotive
aftermarket stampings, pressure cylinders, metal framing, metal ceiling
grid systems and laser-welded blanks.
Founded in 1955, the company operates under a long-standing corporate
philosophy rooted in the golden rule, with earning money for its
shareholders as the first corporate goal. This philosophy, an unwavering
commitment to the customer, and one of the strongest employee/employer
relationships in American industry serves as the company’s
foundation. Worthington Industries is listed as one of America’s
Most Admired Companies and one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in
America by Fortune magazine.
Safe Harbor Statement
The company wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions
included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the
Act"). Statements by the company relating to non-historical matters
constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Act.
Because they are based on beliefs, estimates and assumptions,
forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those projected. Any number of factors could affect actual results,
including, without limitation, those risks described from time to time
in filings by the company with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission.
