Blyth Restructures into Multichannel and Direct Selling Units

After divesting most of its European businesses earlier this year, Greenwich, CT-based multichannel marketer Blyth, the parent company of gifts cataloger Miles Kimball, is restructuring into direct selling and multichannel businesses.

Blyth previously operated in three segments: direct selling, wholesale, and catalog and Internet. The wholesale segment historically was comprised of North American and European businesses marketing candles, seasonal and home decor. Blyth also announced that Bruce G. Crain, president, wholesale group, is leaving the company following the European divestiture.

The direct selling segment continues in its current form led by Frank P. Mineo, president, direct selling segment. PartyLite, a direct seller of candles and accessories with operations in 11 countries, is Blyth’s primary business in the direct selling segment.

The newly formed multichannel group is comprised of Blyth’s current catalog and Internet and North American wholesale segment businesses. The unit includes Miles Kimball and gourmet coffee merchant Boca Java, and the wholesale business units Blyth HomeScents International – North America, CBK, Midwest and Sterno. Rob Goergen, vice president of Blyth and president of the catalog and Internet group, has been named president of multichannel group.