Lifetime Products, Inc. has acquired the assets of Jumping Jack Trailers, Inc., adding Tent/Trailer to Lifetime's own lineup of consumer products. Lifetime has agreed to purchase all of Jumping Jack's assets, including its intellectual property, trademark portfolio, manufacturing equipment, inventory and its distribution contracts. All products previously produced by Jumping Jack will now be manufactured at Lifetime's 2.6 million square foot manufacturing facility in Clearfield, UT.

Lifetime, a manufacturer of folding tables and chairs, basketball systems, outdoor storage sheds and utility trailers, said the acquisition is especially important during the current recession as it keeps manufacturing jobs in the state of Utah and allows Lifetime to shore up its own manufacturing capacity in Utah.
 
“This is an innovative product, and we are just thrilled to add it to our solid line-up of trailers,” said Richard Hendrickson, president of Lifetime. “This really extends our brand into a whole different distribution channel, so we're excited to move forward with it.”

Lifetime said it will absorb five of Jumping Jack's employees, including the former owner, Robert Badger, who will join Lifetime as manager of the new category. The Trailer/Tent will be re-branded with the Lifetime name and shield.

The company said the Jumping Jack 6×8 Trailer/Tent is a unique product that combines the tow and stow capabilities of a heavy-duty steel ATV trailer with a heavy canvas outdoor tent. The steel trailer can tow up to 3,500 pounds and convert to a comfortable canvas tent that sleeps up to six adults in less than two minutes. The Trailer/Tent has wide dealer distribution in North America, and can be found in outdoor and adventure stores such as Sportsman's Warehouse. The trailer retails for $4,999.99.

Lifetime's own line of utility trailer features the innovative Fold-Up utility trailer, a 4×6 trailer that folds up to 29 inches for easy and convenient storage. The Fold-Up Utility Trailer earned a “Bronze” in the transportation category in the 2008 Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), a prestigious international product design competition co-sponsored by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and BusinessWeek magazine.