{{Short description|American appliance manufacturer}} '''Duracraft''' was founded in the late 1980s by Tim Chen, Bernard Chiu and Ronald Izen in Southborough, Massachusetts. Duracraft manufactured home appliances such as fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners in the United States, China, and South America.They were known for selling desk pedestal and window fans.
==History==
Early sales of Duracraft were through Sears, Eckerds, and Kmart. Today Duracraft products are sold online as well as through Walmart and CVS Pharmacy, and many parts are sold online.
In 1993, Duracraft had an initial public offering. The company received recognition from numerous organizations, including Fortune.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1994/04/04/79129/index.htm|title=COMPANIES TO WATCH - April 4, 1994|website=archive.fortune.com|access-date=2020-01-28}}{{dead link|date=May 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
In 1996, Honeywell approached Duracraft with an unsolicited offer. Duracraft was sold to Honeywell for US$283 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=COMPANY NEWS;HONEYWELL TO BUY DURACRAFT FOR $283 MILLION (Published 1996) |website=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121150327/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/13/business/company-news-honeywell-to-buy-duracraft-for-283-million.html |archive-date=2023-01-21 |url-status=live |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/13/business/company-news-honeywell-to-buy-duracraft-for-283-million.html}}</ref>
In 2002, Kaz Incorporated (privately held) acquired Honeywell's Home Environment business for an undisclosed sum.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kaz-inc-to-acquire-honeywell-portable-air-cleaner-and-seasonal-products-businesses-deal-includes-portable-humidifiers-heaters-and-fans-76001052.html PRNewswire]</ref> This acquisition added Asia-based manufacturing capabilities that fueled the company's ability to enter new markets competitively.
In 2011, Kaz became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Helen of Troy Company,<ref>[http://www.kaz.com/kaz/info/who-we-are/ PRNewswire]</ref> for $260 million in cash.<ref>[http://www.drugstorenews.com/article/helen-troy-acquires-kaz-business Drug Store News]</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}{{more footnotes|date=November 2012}}
== External links == *[http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml97/97184.html CPSC Recall] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130108234854/https://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml97/97184.html Archive]) *[https://web.archive.org/web/20051001020702/http://boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2005/09/04/his_business_is_rocking/ Boston Globe Article] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060414135656/http://www.firstact.com/corporate/background.asp Bernard Chiu Bio from First Act] *[https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/13/business/company-news-honeywell-to-buy-duracraft-for-283-million.html?pagewanted=print Reuters: Honeywell Purchase of Duracraft]
*[http://www.honeywellcleanair.com/ Honeywell Products] *[http://www.kaz.com/kaz/duracraft/ Kaz Products] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919234143/http://www.kaz.com/kaz/duracraft/ |date=2012-09-19 }}
Category:Companies based in Worcester County, Massachusetts Category:Southborough, Massachusetts Category:Boat builders
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