Beautifully engraved Certificate from the famous
Ronson Corporation issued
in 1963 - 1983. This historic document was printed by the Federated Banknote Company and has an
ornate border around it with a vignette of allegorical man sitting in front of a gear hold a hammer. This item has the printed signature of Louis Aronson II as President. The Ronson name came from Aronson's last name.
Certificate Vignette
Ronson Corporation is engaged in the businesses of consumer products and aviation operations and services. RONC's products include lighters and related products, surface protectants and lubricating sprays.
Narrative description of the current business.
(1) Consumer Products
The Company's consumer packaged products, which are
manufactured in Woodbridge, New Jersey, and distributed in the United
States by the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Ronson Consumer
Products Corporation ("RCPC"), include Ronsonol lighter fluid,
Multi-Fill butane fuel injectors, flints, wicks for lighters, a
multi-use penetrant spray lubricant product under the tradename
"Multi-Lube", a spot remover under the product tradename "Kleenol", and
a surface protectant under the tradename "GlossTek". In addition, the
Company's consumer packaged products are marketed in Canada through
Ronson Corporation of Canada, Ltd. ("Ronson-Canada"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company. RCPC and Ronson-Canada together comprise
Ronson Consumer Products. The Company also distributes its consumer
products in Mexico. A subsidiary of WalMart Stores, Inc. ("WalMart") is
a significant distributor for the consumer products segment and, as
such, supplies Ronson's products to numerous retailers. Management does
not believe that this segment is substantially dependent on WalMart or
its distributor subsidiary because of the presence of many other
distributors which provide retailers with Ronson's consumer products.
Sales to various units of WalMart in 1998 and 1997 accounted for 12% and
10%, respectively, of Consolidated Net Sales of the Company and 18% and
15% of Net Sales of the segment in 1998 and 1997, respectively, most of
which were to its distributor subsidiary.
The consumer products are distributed through distributors,
food brokers, automotive and hardware representatives and mass
merchandisers, drug chains and convenience stores in the United States
and Canada. Ronson Consumer Products is a principal supplier of packaged
flints and lighter fuels in the United States and Canada. These
subsidiaries' consumer products face substantial competition from other
nationally distributed products and from numerous local and private
label packaged products. Since Ronson Consumer Products produces
packaged products in accordance with its sales forecasts, which are
frequently reviewed and revised, inventory accumulation has not been a
significant factor, and this segment does not have a significant order
backlog. The sources and availability of raw materials for this
segment's packaged products are not significant factors.
Ronson Consumer Products also distributes three lighter
products - the "RONII" refillable butane lighter, the Ronson "WINDII"
liquid fuel windproof lighter, and the Ronson "Varaflame Ignitor", used
for lighting fireplaces, barbecues, camping stoves and candles. The
lighter products are marketed in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In 1995 Ronson Consumer Products introduced a new lighter
product, the RONII refillable butane lighter, in both the United States
and Canada. The RONII is a pocket lighter that meets the new child
resistant requirements issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The RONII is manufactured for the Company in Spain and is sold through
the Company's distribution channels. The RONII is priced competitively
but has strong competition from several other brands of disposable
lighters and unbranded imports from China and other Far Eastern
countries.
In January 1997 Ronson Consumer Products introduced a new
lighter product, the WINDII windproof lighter, in the United States and
Canada. The WINDII uses Ronson flints, Ronsonol lighter fuel and Ronson
wicks. The WINDII faces strong competition from other nationally
distributed brands and from unbranded imports.
The WINDII lighter and Varaflame Ignitor are manufactured in
China, both in accordance with the design specifications of the Company.
The Company has the exclusive right to market these products in the
United States, Canada and Mexico, and does so through its distribution
channels. The Varaflame Ignitor is refillable with Ronson butane refills
and is less expensive than most other refillable ignitors. The Varaflame
Ignitor encounters strong competition from imported disposable ignitors.
(2) Aviation - Fixed Wing Operations and Services and Helicopter
Services
Ronson Aviation, Inc. ("Ronson Aviation"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company, headquartered at Trenton-Mercer Airport,
Trenton, New Jersey, provides a wide range of general aviation services
to the general public and to government agencies. Services include air
charter, air cargo, cargo handling, avionics, management aviation
services, new and used aircraft sales, aircraft repairs, aircraft
fueling, storage and office rental. This subsidiary's facility is
located on 18 acres, exclusive of four acres on which Ronson Aviation
has a first right of refusal, and includes a 52,000 square foot
hangar/office complex, two aircraft storage units ("T" hangars) and a
58,500 gallon fuel storage complex (refer to Item 2-Properties, (4)
Trenton, New Jersey). In its passenger and cargo services, Ronson
Aviation operates a total of three aircraft, including a Citation Jet
and two twin-engine turbo-prop airplanes in charter operations. Ronson
Aviation is an FAA approved repair station for major and minor airframe
and engine service and an avionics repair station for service and
installations. Ronson Aviation is an authorized Raytheon Aircraft and
Parts Sales and Service Center and a customer service facility for Bell
Helicopter Textron.
At December 31, 1998, Ronson Aviation had one new aircraft
in sales inventory and orders to purchase three new aircraft from
Raytheon Aircraft Corporation, all of which are for resale. The total
sales value of these aircraft is approximately $1,835,000. The orders
are subject to cancellation by Ronson Aviation.
Ronson Aviation is subject to extensive competition in its
air charter activities, but Ronson Aviation is the only provider of
aviation services to the private, corporate and commercial flying public
at Trenton-Mercer Airport in Trenton, New Jersey.
History from company press information.