APN Apeiron Capital Investment Corp

Applica To Ring The Closing Bell(TM) At The New York Stock Exchange Celebrating Launch Of Home Cafe(TM)* System, Supported By Co-Developer Procter & Gamble Strategic Relationship Introduces New Home Cafe(TM)* System MIAMI LAKES, Fla., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Applica Incorporated is celebrating the launch of the Home Cafe(TM)* system -- an exciting new consumer product resulting from its strategic relationship with The Procter & Gamble Company -- by ringing The Closing Bell(TM) at The New York Stock Exchange at 4 P.M. on February 19. Executives from both Applica and P&G will be on hand to ring The Closing Bell(TM). The new product program -- which was co-developed by P&G and Applica -- introduces the Home Cafe(TM)* system as a revolutionary single-cup brewing system that offers coffeehouse style coffee in the home. The Home Cafe(TM)* system features a Black & Decker(R)** branded brewer that incorporates Folgers* -- America's No. 1 selling coffee brand -- and Millstone* coffees. Applica and P&G will be marketing the Home Cafe(TM)* system as a broad- based platform that allows for the licensing of the technology to other competitive appliance makers and brands who will also be distributing under the Home Cafe(TM)* system with theability to use Folgers* or Millstone* coffee pods in their branded appliance. Led by the marketing power of Applica's Black & Decker(R)** brand and the renowned marketing prowess of P&G and its leading consumer brands, the Home Cafe(TM)* system will provide maximum brand presence and wide-based distribution utilizing multiple appliance brands and Folgers* and Millstone* coffee pods. By the end of 2004, consumers may select from their choice of branded Home Cafe(TM)* appliance, but regardless of brand, the continuity of the Folgers* and Millstone* coffee pods will provide an unprecedented ability to allow for a coffeehouse style experience in the home. Not only will the Home Cafe(TM)* system revolutionize current consumer behaviors by providing unique and advanced consumer benefits, but the Home Cafe(TM)* system will be supported by a comprehensive Applica launch strategy and supported by development collaborator, P&G. Further information will be released at a reception hosted by Applica at The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) immediately following the celebratory closing bell ceremony by Applica and P&G at 4 P.M. on February 19, 2004. The reception is scheduled to begin at 4 P.M. and it will be open to members of the financial community, media and general public. The reception will take place from 4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M., and a question and answer session will be made available to all in attendance. Press material and follow up requests will be addressed after the reception. Media shouldcontact Chris Mitchell, Applica Public Relations, at 203-877-0025 to confirm attendance. Financial guests should contact Adam Kaplan, Applica Investor Relations, at 305-362-2611 to confirm attendance. Guests should plan to arrive at the NYSE between 3:30 P.M. and 3:45 P.M. in order to allow enough time to get through security checkpoints. Guests must enter at 2 Broad Street (corner of Wall & Broad Streets) for access into the building. Applica Incorporated and its subsidiaries are manufacturers, marketers and distributors of a broad range of branded and private-label small electric consumer goods. The Company manufactures and distributes small household appliances, pest control products, home environment products, pet care products and professional personal care products. Applica markets products under licensed brand names, such as Black & Decker(R), its own brand names, such as Windmere(R), LitterMaid(R) and Applica(TM), and other private-label brand names. Applica's customers include mass merchandisers, specialty retailers and appliance distributors primarily in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Company operates manufacturing facilities in China and Mexico. Applica also manufactures products for other consumer products companies. Additional information regarding the Company is available at http://www.applicainc.com/ . *Folgers, Millstone and Home Cafe are trademarks of The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. **Black & Decker is a registered trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation, Towson, Maryland, USA. DATASOURCE: Applica Consumer Products, Inc., CONTACT: Chris Mitchell, Applica Public Relations, +1-203-877-0025, or Web site: http://www.applicainc.com/

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