Playtex to Acquire Personal Care Group

Playtex Products Inc. said it will acquire Montvale, N.J.-based Personal Care Group Inc. from owner J.W. Childs Equity Partners for $91 million in cash and about 9.3 million shares of common stock. The transaction, not subject to financing or shareholder approval, is expected to close in early 1998, assuming it gets regulatory approval. Personal Care brands include Wet Ones, Binaca and Mr. Bubble. Playtex Products’ brands include Playtex, Woolite, Jhirmack and Tek. Shares of Westport, Conn.-based Playtex edged up 31 cents to close at $9.88 on the NYSE.