Lucky Litter Owners Sell Company to Radio Systems Corp.

Radio Systems Corp. of Knoxville, Tenn., reported today that it acquired Lucky Litter LLC, the maker of ScoopFree litterboxes and FroliCat pet toys.

Transaction details were not released.

Lucky Litter, a privately held company that operates under the Brilliant Pet name, is headquartered in Chicago. Its ScoopFree self-cleaning and easy-clean litterboxes feature removable litter trays, while its FroliCat toys are designed to engage cats in exercise and play.

The ScoopFree litterbox comes with an automatic rake that sweeps waste into a covered compartment.

“Brilliant Pet has built an incredibly strong business and brand with their widely popular litterboxes and innovative cat toys,” said Randy Boyd, CEO and founder of Radio Systems. “We are excited to expand our product offering in the waste management category as well as build upon our toy line, especially within the cat market.”  

Radio Systems manufactures containment, training, safety and food and water systems under the Petsafe, Invisible Fence, Drinkwell and Premier brands.

“Radio Systems has an incredible presence in the pet industry and has always worked with the same goal in mind as us, which is to provide quality, innovative products to enhance the relationship between pet and owner,” said Alan J. Cook, president of Lucky Litter. “This alliance will bring about new resources and opportunities to grow the products and lines we’ve worked so hard to offer devoted pet owners.”

Lucky Litter has stayed profitable, with revenue up 50 percent over last year’s numbers, said Cook, the company’s largest shareholder.

“It was an attractive offer that represented a good outcome for our investors,” he said of the decision to sell.

The company, which employs about 12 people in Chicago, will move to Knoxville, Cook said.

He added that he will stay with Lucky Litter through the transition, if not longer.

Lucky Litter received a U.S. patent in 2010 for its self-cleaning litterbox. The company redesigned the litterbox in 2008 amid a patent dispute with Russell Hobbs Inc. of Miramar, Fla. Hobbs manufactured LitterMaid automated litterboxes and later sold the company to Atlanta-based Spectrum Brands.

LitterMaid is now part of United Pet Group, a Spectrum subsidiary.

The patent litigation was settled about a year ago, Cook stated.

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