CHICAGO – Gold Eagle Co., maker of well-known automotive brands such as STA-BIL, HEET and START YOUR ENGINES!, has acquired 303 Products Inc. maker of the 303 brand of protectants, cleaners and associated products. 
Based in Palo Cedro, Calif., 303 Products, manufactures more than 10 premier-quality products offering UV screening and protective treatments, finishes and specialized cleaners for rubber, vinyl, plastics, textiles and finished leathers.
“This is a landmark moment in Gold Eagle’s history,” said Marc Blackman, CEO of Gold Eagle. “Over the past 80 years, we have built a powerful mix of household brands that have been protecting, preserving and enhancing the performance of engines everywhere and can be found in millions of garages worldwide. We are thrilled to have 303 Products join the Gold Eagle family. We look forward to strategically growing the 303 Brand and know our customers will appreciate the quality and usefulness of the products.”
The acquisition of 303 takes Gold Eagle into different categories and new channels, Blackman added. Gold Eagle already provides products for marine, watercraft, recreational vehicles and motorcycles. "Really anything with an engine," Blackman said. "A lot of those types of products have other things that need to be protected as well – the vinyls and leathers for example, so it’s a great fit."
“We believe that Gold Eagle Co.’s logistics, personalized and efficient customer service and its proven product marketing abilities will enable the 303 brand to grow both domestically and internationally,” said Dennis Praegitzer, CEO of 303 Products Inc. “For more than 30 years, our company has developed a world-class collection of quality products and emerged as a category leader. Together, with Gold Eagle, we believe we will continue this momentum.”
Fred Scuncio, vice president of sales for 303 Products, and principal of rep agency SC International will join Gold Eagle Co. as an independent factory representative. Blackman added that Preagitzer has agreed to serve as a consultant to Gold Eagle over the next couple of years.
"This was a long time coming. It’s been in the works for a while now and we’re just really excited about it," Blackman said. "Our core purpose as a company is to ‘protect, preserve and perform’ and when you talk about 303, those products are all about protection too, so it’s a great fit. It’s a great fit for the two cultures as well, as our companies are so similar."
Blackman said 303 will remain an independent brand. "It has a very loyal client base and we will do nothing to disturb that brand equity but will hopefully build and grown upon everything they have done with the brand," he said.
In addition to this significant acquisition, Gold Eagle also is celebrating another milestone – its 80 anniversary this year. The STA-BIL brand will turn 50 in 2013.
