RETAIL / LEISURE : Simple Green Cleaner to Be Produced in Switzerland for European Market

Having landed on store shelves throughout America, Simple Green is about to hit Europe.

Sunshine Makers Inc., the Huntington Harbour company that developed the non-toxic, biodegradable cleaner, has signed an agreement with a Swiss firm to produce and market Simple Green throughout the continent.

Bruce P. FaBrizio, president of Sunshine Makers, said the agreement should help the company establish its brand name before the planned economic unification of European Economic Community countries in 1992. He said it is important to establish the Simple Green trademark in Europe because the European Community may impose tariffs, duties and other trade barriers to non-member countries once the continent unites.

FaBrizio also said the European deal should help the privately held company maintain strong sales growth.

Sunshine Makers will ship a concentrate of the liquid cleaner to a Swiss bottling company, Chemische Fabrik Siebnen AG. Then the licensee, Sales Activities Campagnie of Geneva, Switzerland, will distribute Simple Green to the rest of Europe.

FaBrizio said Switzerland was chosen as the European headquarters for Simple Green AG because of the country’s reputation for cleanliness and efficiency.

“When you think of Switzerland, you think of pristinely clean,” FaBrizio noted. The product is expected to have strong appeal in central and northern Europe where environmental concerns are particularly strong.

Simple Green has been sold for two years in New Zealand and Australia under a similar licensing agreement. The company had $33 million in revenue during its fiscal year ended Nov. 30, 1990, a 40% increase over the previous year. The company does not disclose profit figures.