International Business

Toano, Va. -- Lumber Liquidators is expanding its board of directors from eight to nine members with the appointment of Nancy M. Taylor as a Class III director effective April 1. Taylor currently serves as the president and CEO of Tredegar Corp., serving in such roles since January 2010, and is a member of Tredegar's board of directors.

The sale of Unilever’s meat snack business to Jack Link’s closed this week, clearing the way for the Minong, Wis.-based company to pursue its global ambitions.

Jack Link’s is already the leading U.S. meat snack brand with a pervasive presence at retail but has set its sights on international growth.

Consumer goods manufacturer SC Johnson continues to make progress on an ambitious waste reduction goal by securing “zero landfill” status at its eighth global manufacturing facility.

The company has set a target of reducing its global manufacturing waste by 70% by 2016. From 2000 to 2012 the company reduced its waste by 62% as a ratio to production.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- Bicycle retailer BikeStreet announced the appointment of former Hhgregg executive VP & COO Gregg Throgmartin as CEO. With 17 shops opened since the brand’s founding in 2012, BikeShop aims to acquire and/or open nearly 1,000 shops across the nation under Throgmartin’s leadership.   
 

Aliso Viejo, Calif. —  AUM Hospitality has opened the second Johnny Rockets restaurant in Malaysia at Avenue K in Kuala Lumpur, a 360,000-sq.-ft. retail hub. The new Johnny Rockets is the 11th restaurant in the chain to open in Southeast Asia.

In addition to the two Malaysia, the chain operates six outlets in the Philippines and three in Indonesia.

Los Angeles – Pinkberry’s is entering the Japanese market with franchisee Royal Holdings. Japan is the 20th country where Pinkberry will operate stores.

Royal Holdings who operates 722 restaurants across several brands, both full service and QSR concepts. The partnership provides growth opportunities in the market for both traditional stores and non-traditional venues, with an initial development plan for 50 stores.

Juliet Johansson, a former executive with a dental implant manufacturer, is Office Depot’s new EVP and chief strategy officer.

Leading global cooler manufacturer Igloo was acquired by Washington, D.C.-based private equity firm ACON Investments from Connecticut-based private equity firm J.H. Whitney.

ACON said J.H. Whitney will continue to maintain a small, but undisclosed, stake in the company. Igloo will continue to be led by chairman and CEO Gary Kiedaisch and other members of the existing management team who are also purchasing significant interests in Igloo in connection with the transaction. The company will focus on continued growth in the outdoors, housewares and sporting goods markets.

Toy maker Jakks Pacific secured a $75 million credit facility from GE Capital.

The nine year old company based in Malibu, Calif., plans to use proceeds for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes as needed.

Cortre Madera, Calif. – Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. (RH) swung to a profit in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 amid ongoing sales growth. The retailer posted net earnings of $26.64 million, compared to a net loss of $28.36 in the year-ago period.

Net revenues grew 18.5% to $471.69 million, from $398.05 million. Same-store sales grew 17%.