Coleman, the maker of coolers and other outdoor camping gear that is owned by Jarden Corporation, is buying the Australian Esky brand of coolers. Esky´s parent company, Nylex, is bankrupt. Esky has been sold in Australia for 57 years, and Coleman Asia Pacific expects it to turn a profit right away. Coleman intends to immediately broaden the distribution of the brand from Australia and New Zealand to other parts of Asia, including Japan. Longer-term, the company intends to expand the label into the North American, European and South African markets. In 1989, Coleman and Esky struck a licensing agreement whereby the Australian company made Coleman coolers for the market while sales reps for Coleman also sold Esky products to camping stores. The terms of the new deal, which is expected to close later this month, were not disclosed.
