Provides American Standard Immediate Access to Fast Growing Market

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (July 22, 2010) — American Standard Brands, a leading North American manufacturer of kitchen and bath products serving both the residential and commercial markets, today announced it has acquired Safety Tubs, LLC , a privately held U.S. business specializing in the design and manufacturing of walk-in bathtubs for those with limited mobility, including the elderly, obese and disabled. Safety Tubs will operate independently as a subsidiary of American Standard Brands called Safety Tubs Company, LLC, and will be part of a dedicated division for Assisted Living. Safety Tubs CEO, Rob Buete, will become vice president and general manager of Safety Tubs and Assisted Living. Buete will report to Don Devine, President and CEO of American Standard Brands, an affiliate of private investment firm Sun Capital Partners, Inc. The Safety Tubs business, based in Grand Prairie, TX, will remain in its current location. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Safety Tubs is the second–largest manufacturer and supplier of walk-in bathtubs, which is one of the fastest growing segments of the North American plumbing market. “This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity for American Standard Brands to expand our capabilities and technology in an attractive segment where we see high demand from both consumers and commercial businesses,” said Donald C. Devine, president and CEO of American Standard Brands. “American Standard and Safety Tubs have been partners for several years, with American Standard marketing Safety Tubs products under the American Standard brand to various channels. Andre Neidich, Safety Tubs owner, Rob Buete and I felt that the best way to expand the success of Safety Tubs would be to fully integrate the company into American Standard and take full advantage of American Standard’s engineering, sales, marketing and distribution capabilities.”

Known for the quality of its products and innovative design and engineering, Safety Tubs is focused on improving the bathing experience for individuals that have difficulty getting in and out of the bathtub. Its products have been featured on national television shows including Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and HGTV, and have received several prestigious awards including the “Award for Design Excellence” by Design Journal for three consecutive years, “Most Valuable Product for Building Industry Professionals” by Building Products Magazine and the “Innovative Product Award” from Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine.

Having successfully completed the merger of Crane Plumbing, Eljer Plumbing and American Standard in 2008, American Standard Brands is focused on expanding its value share of the market. “We’ll do this by delivering on our brand promise, ‘Style That Works Better,’ with great products and strategic acquisitions that bring market-leading technology to benefit the consumer and trades,” said Devine. “Safety Tubs fits our investment criteria and we are excited by the growth potential this category brings to American Standard. We will continue to actively seek other acquisitions which fit our growth strategy.”

About American Standard Brands
American Standard Brands is a leading North American manufacturer of a wide range of high-quality kitchen and bath products, including faucets, fixtures, furniture, vitreous china fixtures, cast iron sinks, whirlpool tubs and other related products. The company currently serves both the residential and commercial markets; employs more than 5,000 people in the United States, Canada and Mexico; and markets products under the American Standard®, Crane Plumbing®, Eljer®, Porcher®, Jado®, and Fiat® brands. American Standard Brands is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners. For more information, please see: www.americanstandard-us.com.

About Safety Tubs
Safety Tubs, LLC specializes in the design and manufacturing of walk-in bathtubs for those with limited mobility, including the elderly, obese and disabled. Founded in 2003 and based in Grand Prairie, TX, our award-winning walk-in tubs – including both acrylic and gelcoat models with molded chair height seats – are the premier bathtub for a safer, healthier and more comfortable bathing experience. Safety Tubs® offers many features and options unique only to Safety Tubs®, including the patented T5™ Door System, the patent pending Minute Drain™ Water Removal System, Aromatherapy and Chromatherapy Systems, and Deluxe Back and The Legs Only Massage Systems. For more information, please visit www.safetytubs.com

About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in companies that can benefit from its in–house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in more than 225 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $40 billion since Sun Capital’s inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as affiliates with offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Shenzhen. For more information, please visit www.SunCapPart.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Tracy Benson Kirker
Managing Partner
On the Same Page
(914) 522-6575
tracy@on-the-same-page.com
Katrin C. Lieberwirth
Stanton Public Relations & Marketing
(646) 502-3548
klieberwirth@stantonprm.com

Dallas, TX – Safety Tubs®, the original inventor and manufacturer of the acrylic walk-in bathtub and inventor of the Safety Shower™ and Safety Tubs® for Kids™, announces the launch of FreeStyle, an online magazine focused on Independent Living and Universal Design. Created specifically as a vehicle to communicate important health and safety information (both for adults and children alike), FreeStyle also contains articles and news posts that educate consumers on the types of bathing products available in the market, discuss the importance of universal design, share tips for living independently, report relevant industry news, list industry facts and figures, and provide do-it-yourself bathroom project tips, plus other related information.

“Safety Tubs has always designed our products with the health and well-being of our customers as the number one consideration, and as a result, we’ve done exhaustive research on bathroom safety and on the challenges of living independently.” says Rob Buete, CEO of Safety Tubs®. “We feel we have an obligation to share everything we’ve learned over the years with our customers so they are fully aware of their options and can make intelligent, educated decisions when planning for the later stages of their lives, or for the safety and well-being of their children and loved ones.”

FreeStyle will include an in-depth feature article on a specific topic published once a month, as well as fun, fact-filled posts and shorter articles published more frequently, usually on a weekly basis. In addition, FreeStyle will invite readers to share their thoughts and opinions and will post articles on topics readers specifically request to learn more about. Users can read FreeStyle by visiting blog.SafetyTubs.com. The first feature article is scheduled to debut in July, and other content will be added on an ongoing basis.

Andre Neidich, Owner of Safety Tubs®, is excited about reaching out with this new publication to customers and business partners. “We’re not just a walk-in tub and safety shower company. We’re educators as well. We can’t think of a better way to support our customers than to arm them with the knowledge they need to live safely and happily in their homes for as long as possible.”

About Safety Tubs, LLC
Safety Tubs®, the original manufacturer and inventor of acrylic walk-in bathtubs, is headquartered in Dallas, TX. Safety Tubs pioneered the manufacturing process for acrylic walk-in bathtubs with built in 17-inch chair height seats as well as the Safety Shower™ and Safety Tubs for Kids™. For more information on Safety Tubs, visit www.SafetyTubs.com or call toll free: (877) 304-2800.

Dallas, TX – Safety Tubs for kids! This new patent pending product from Safety Tubs transforms your ordinary bathtub into a safe, fun and water efficient unit. Great for kids, better for parents and the environment! Safety Tubs for kids is a perfect solution for bathing any small child, from infant all the way up to 70 pounds. Easy installation gives parents the freedom to bathe their children in comfort, while eliminating common bathroom hazards such as slips and falls, as well as injuries to parents caused by stooping and lifting over a traditional 60″ bathtub. This temporary unit fits easily over existing tubs and is quickly removable when no longer needed. Constructed of durable and easy to maintain cast acrylic, the new Safety Tubs for kids offers designs for both boys and girls, and makes bath time a fun time for all. The unit comes complete with strong powder-coated steel frame that resists rust and corrosion, padded anchors to protect the existing tub, and a chrome hand shower with integral on/off switch that ties into existing plumbing. Accessories such as a changing pad and infant tub seat are available to compliment the tub. Prices start at $2,200 list.
New XL Tub

Safety Tubs newest product, the acrylic XL helps address the needs of larger bathers who cannot bathe in a traditional tub. With it’s generous 25″ door opening and 27″ wide seating area, the bariatric XL model offers maximum space and guarantees a comfortable, relaxing bath. The XL can be outfitted with any of Safety Tubs advanced hydrotherapy options such as the hydro-jet massage system with legs only massage and ozone self cleaning system, Five Star air massage with heated blower, or both systems together. In addition, the tub can be equipped with the exclusive, patent pending Minute Drain™ powered pump system that empties the tub up to 8x faster than conventional drains. The 2010 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show also debuts the new worldwide patent pending T6 inward opening door system. The T6 door system technology works similar to the way an aircraft door opens and secures. The door swings inward, yet allows full access to the tub whether sitting or standing allowing those with mobility issues to bathe with ease.

“The door is the single most critical aspect of a walk-in bathtub,” said Rob Buete, Chief Executive Officer of Safety Tubs, LLC. “With the T6, we’ve created a worldwide patent pending system that is both water-tight, and easy to enter and exit. It has the ease of an outward opening door, but the security of an in-ward door; it’s really the best of both worlds.”
Seated Safety Shower™

For the first time, enjoy a safe and independent showering experience with the Safety Tubs® Seated Safety Shower™; the first seated shower built to meet the needs of many people including the elderly and disabled.

This 60″ x 30″ x 37″ acrylic seated shower comes with a multitude of ground-breaking features: highly durable and luxurious cast acrylic construction; wide, contoured, full-sized seating area with recessed front to make standing or sitting easy; an accessory ledge for personal items; and a built-in armrest to help you relax and enjoy your shower experience. The Seated Safety Shower™ also features a low 3″ threshold and a built-in wrap-around grab bar that allows you to al-ways feel safe and confident, no matter if you’re standing, sitting, entering or exiting.

Available in white or biscuit acrylic and left or right hand con-figurations, it can be completed with a traditional shower curtain or shower doors to match the look and feel of your current bathroom décor.

Dallas, TX — Safety Tubs has just raised the bar by lowering the threshold for its walk-in tubs, making it even easier for people with limited mobility to retain the pleasures of private bathing.

Now just three inches from the ground, about the same height as shower bases, the large 21-inch wide contoured door system on the new 52-inch bathtub opens and closes without interference when sitting comfortably on a 17-inch chair height seat.

“The door is the single most critical aspect of a walk-in bathtub,” said Rob Buete, chief executive officer of Safety Tubs, LLC. “We’ve created a patented watertight system that requires no special care or maintenance and is guaranteed for life. Walk in, close the door and relax in the luxurious bathing environment.”

Not unlike the experience of a Japanese soaking tub, the newest walk-in tub from Safety Tubs combines deep, over-the-shoulder soaking with a compact length and chair-height integral seat. Also available are some of today’s most desirable home spa amenities, including whirlpool and bubble jets, chromatherapy, aromatherapy, in-line heaters and self-cleaning technologies.

Made of durable gel-coat fiberglass, options on the new model include the Safety Tubs patent-pending Minute Drain™ that drains the 60-gallon tub up to eight times faster than typical drains. Take a virtual test drive of the Minute Drain and other features at www.safetytubs.com/interactivetub.

The built-in safety bar and slip-resistant tub floor comes standard on all Safety Tubs. The compact size of the new 52-inch model and optional Custom Extension kit assures an easy fit into most existing bathtub recesses, saving money on the installation.

At its state-of-the-art US manufacturing facility, the craftsmen at Safety Tubs ensure that everything from the watertight door system to the steel support frame is of the highest quality for years of enjoyment, peace of mind and trouble-free use. All Safety tubs products are stringently tested and certified to meet or exceed all required regulatory standards, and are backed by a five-year warranty, along with the lifetime guarantee on the tub door seal. Offered in either white or biscuit, the new tubs are available nationwide through home centers and select plumbing showrooms. Retail prices range from $3,500 for a soaking tub to $7,500 for a luxurious fully loaded home-spa.

“Everything about a Safety Tub is designed to give you the freedom to bathe on your own, in safety, comfort and convenience,” Buete said. “The freedom will change your life!” Learn more about Safety Tubs at www.safetytubs.com.

Dallas, TX – The original inventor and manufacturer of the first acrylic walk-in bathtub, Safety Tubs’ innovative design and technology make it easy to get in and out of the bath. The company’s patented T5 door system eliminates the need to step over the front of the tub, allowing for safe and effortless entry. Walk in, close the door and relax in the luxurious bathing environment.

Installed as a pre-hung door unit, the T5 door system technology ensures manufacturing consistency and reliability in every tub.

Features of this patented system include:

• A strong, powder-coated aluminum frame and hinge maintains structural integrity by preventing the tub from warping or twisting over time due to moisture changes in the bathroom. The frame is tested to support over 350 pounds.
• An ingenious Santroprene seal runs the length of the entire door edge and sits snugly against the door frame, which ensures a watertight seal. When compressed by the closing door, the seal is flattened against the frame, creating a watertight boundary. As water fills the tub and the water pressure against the door increases, the weight of the water further compresses the tube, creating an even tighter seal and preventing any water leaks. Unlike other systems available, the T5 technology allows the user to easily replace the seal by removing it from the dedicated track if a replacement is ever needed.
• The ergonomically designed T5 door handle allows for easy opening and closing regardless of physical strength or condition. The unique handle system includes a stainless steel sloped strike plate that provides full leverage and insures a secure closure.

“We are so confident in the integrity of our door system, we guarantee the watertight seal for life,” said Andre Neidich, Principal of Safety Tubs. “We’ve created a watertight system that requires no special care or maintenance to make bathing safe and easy for millions of people. Walk-in tubs can help many people feel better while maintaining their independence and dignity. We take that responsibility seriously and continually innovate to make the entire process better: from sales to installation to the bathing experience to maintenance.”

Nora DePalma
O’Reilly/DePalma
(770) 772-4726
nora.depalma@oreilly-depalma.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“It’s Wonderful to Sit Down and Bathe”

Arthritis Sufferer Remodels Bathroom to Improve Accessibility, Trades Shower Struggles for Walk-in Tub Independence

Lafayette, GA — Unable to stand in the shower or at the bathroom vanity, arthritis sufferer Arlene Moncrief found relief in remodeling.

“It’s wonderful to sit down and bathe,” Moncrief said of the bathroom renovation that included replacing her flooring, shower, vanity and medicine cabinet with new fixtures that fit into her existing bathroom space and enabled her to retain independence for her personal care.

According to the AARP report, “Beyond 50.03,” the right equipment is increasingly important in helping people to maintain independence. The percentage of surveyed people 65 and older with physical limitations who have been able to use special equipment rather than be aided by more than doubled in the 20 years between the mid-1980s and 2003, from 9% to 20%.

Once a nurse who provided home health care, Moncrief is acutely aware that being able to bathe without any assistance makes a significant difference in one’s quality of life. “I know what it’s like. I used to do home health care and I cared for my elderly mom and mother-in-law,” she said. “It makes a huge difference in your outlook to be able to care for yourself without any assistance.”

Moncrief’s medical training also raised her awareness to the fact that hydrotherapy has reportedly benefited arthritis sufferers. According to altMD.com, the warm, swirling waters help increase blood flow and reduce muscle tension, which in turn helps ease joint pain. The Safety Tubs brand model that Moncrief and her husband selected enables Moncrief to be comfortably seated and immersed up to her neck in a tub that fit into the same space as her previous tub/shower.

Friends helped Moncrief and her husband renovate the bathroom in their log cabin home in 2007. Among the changes the Moncriefs made to their home:

• Replaced the carpet with a wood floor
• Installed a lower vanity and a lower medicine cabinet
• Replaced the tub/shower with the Safety Tubs walk-in whirlpool with handshower
• Tiled the bathroom walls and ceiling

“I can just sit and use the shower or I can fill it up and use the bubble and water jets,” Moncrief said of her new bathing options. “Even my seven-year-old granddaughter loves it!” Moncrief specifically noted that the Safety Tub drain, which empties up to eight times faster than conventional drains and eliminates the discomfort that occurs while waiting to exit. “It drains faster than my old, regular bathtub,” Moncrief marveled.

The bathroom remodel is all the more remarkable because the handy friends who did it for the Moncriefs are a 74-year-old and his 82-year-old assistant. “They did a great job on our porch,” Moncrief explained.

Keeping homes safe and accessible for all ages might just make the youth culture as outdated as Moncrief’s old bathroom.

Resources:

AARP Independent Living Research

altMD.com hydrotherapy and arthritis findings

Nora DePalma
O’Reilly/DePalma
(770) 772-4726
nora.depalma@oreilly-depalma.com

FACT SHEET

HEADQUARTERS: Dallas, Texas

KEY PRODUCT LINES: Dedicated to creating products that allow individuals experiencing lessened mobility to retain their independence and dignity at home while bathing, Safety Tubs unique products include:

Walk-in Bathtubs: Cast acrylic tubs in various sizes meet the common bathroom configurations. Each tub offers industry-leading features including

• the Minute Drain™,
• built-in, chair-height seat
• T5™ Door System Technology,
• Hydro Massage Air Bubble System™ or Hydro Massage Jet System™,
• an exclusive Legs Only Massage™ option,
• chromotherapy, and
• an aromatherapy kit.

Coming Soon: New product offerings coming later in 2009 include cast acrylic tub surrounds, seated showers and new tub door configurations.

HISTORY: Established in 2003 by a team of dedicated industry veterans, the Safety Tubs mission – for the present and for the future – is to provide customers with feature-rich, walk-in bathtubs with the latest and most comprehensive therapeutic technology available. Each heat-molded acrylic tub represents a breakthrough in engineering and manufacturing. With deep soaking dimensions and an easy to maintain high-gloss acrylic finish, Safety Tubs listens to its customers to continually improve existing products by actively incorporating customer feedback into product design and development.

For editorial assistance, contact Nora DePalma c/o O’Reilly/DePalma at (770) 772-4726; e-mail: nora.depalma@oreilly-depalma.com.

Dallas, TX – Walk into a luxurious hydrotherapy experience with the next generation of walk-in bathtubs. Featuring the most desirable home spa amenities-deeper soaking dimensions, bubble jets, chromatherapy and aromatherapy-today’s walk-in tubs have faster drains, low threshold doors and self-cleaning technologies.

For about the same price as traditional whirlpools, Safety Tubs® walk-in tubs offer patented and patent-pending comfort-enhancing exclusives including:

• The Minute Drain™ that empties Safety Tubs up to eight times faster than conventional drains eliminating the discomfort of waiting to exit.
• The patented T5™ Door System that eliminates the need to step over the front of the tub allowing safe and effortless entry, and guaranteed watertight for life.

Water healing, or hydrotherapy, has been used for thousands of years to treat common ailments such as arthritis, back pain, muscle cramps and many others said Rob Buete, chief executive officer of Safety Tubs, LLC.

“It’s not an experience you can get from a shower,” Buete said. “To make hydrotherapy a reality for more people, Safety Tubs invested in what matters most to users: eliminating the discomfort of waiting for the water to drain, and making it easier to get in and out of the tubs.

The Minute Drain is a powered pump that drains water up to eight times faster than typical drains. Equipped with safety suction and an on/off control, the Minute Drain is easily activated with a touch of a button. The Minute Drain requires no additional plumbing.

The T5™ Door System Technology has a watertight seal created by the Safety Tubs Santoprene® tube that runs the length of the door edge and sits snugly against the doorframe. As water fills the tub and the water pressure against the door increases, the weight of the water further compresses the tube, creating an even tighter seal and preventing any water leaks. The door cannot be opened when water is in the tub.

Tested to support over 350lbs, the T5™ Door System aluminum frame and hinge prevent the tub from warping or twisting over time due to moisture changes in the bathroom. It is designed to be easy for bathers to open and close.

All Safety Tub models have comfortable built-in wide contoured seats and a built-in color-matched handrail. Options include:

• The Hydro Massage Air Bubble System™, Hydro Massage Jet System™ or both in the Dual Massage System™.
• The exclusive Legs Only Massage™ option directs the flow of water solely to the well area of the tub for a quick, rejuvenating leg massage.
• A Deluxe Back Massage of multiple, strategically positioned jets for the most comfortable and therapeutic lower back massage available.
• Chromotherapy with multicolored lights in the basin of the tub to illuminate the water.
• An aromatherapy kit with four fragrances, distributed through the jet or air bubble massage systems.
• A self-cleaning sanitary system that oxidizes and eliminates disease-causing microorganisms.
• An in-line heater to keep water warm, eliminating the need for refills and reducing water and energy usage.
• Premium faucets with rapid fill rates and scald-prevention.
• Hand-held shower for the added convenience and safety of seated showering
• Sizes that fit existing tub spaces to minimize installation costs, as well as larger sizes. A bath extension kit adjusts smaller Safety Tubs to fit an existing recess.

The first to engineer cast acrylic walk-in tubs, Safety Tubs baths are supported by a patent-pending freestanding, precision welded metal support frame. Since acrylic is nonporous, the tubs are better able to resist mold, mildew and staining over time, making them low-maintenance and easy to clean. Safety Tubs retain their color and luster to stay in showroom condition year after year.

“Walk-in tubs can help many people feel better while maintaining their independence and dignity,” Buete said. “Everything about Safety Tubs is designed to give you the freedom to bathe on your own, in safety, comfort and convenience. The freedom will change your life!”

Safety Tubs brand walk-in tubs are available nationwide through home centers and select plumbing showrooms. Suggested list prices range from $4,700 for a bathing pool model up to $9,800 for a fully loaded 60-inch Dual Massage model.