A Charleston-based maker of scented candles and other home-fragrance products is looking to enhance its growth by acquiring a Minnesota company.

MVP Group International is buying a wholesale arm of Blyth Inc., which is best known for marketing and selling goods to consumers through home parties and other direct-sales techniques.

Midwest-CBK!

Midwest-CBK sells its line of candles to retail businesses.

The sale of Cannon Fall, Minn.-based Midwest-CBK is set to close by the end of May. Financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition includes manufacturing sites and offices in the United States and Asia.

Like MVP, Midwest-CBK sells its line of candles to retail businesses. Its main brands include Colonial Candle, Seasons of Cannon Falls and CBK. The Minnesota company also designs and produces seasonal decorations.

“It adds to our portfolio. … We’re very excited about this opportunity,” said Paul Parker, vice president of integration at MVP.

Greenwich, Conn.-based Blyth does not break out sales for the Midwest-CBK unit. But its entire wholesale division had revenue of $128 million through the first nine months of its fiscal year, up 2 percent from the corresponding period from the previous year.

Blyth was looking to shed Midwest-CBK partly because the parent company is focusing more on selling goods directly to consumers, said

Robert B. Goergen, chairman and chief executive officer. In a statement, he said, the wholesale business “has become less of a strategic fit going forward.”

Midwest-CBK has offices and manufacturing plants worldwide, including sites in Elkin, N.C.; Union City, Tenn.; Hong Kong; and Shenzhen, China.

MVP also has an overseas presence, including an office in Dubai and suppliers in Vietnam, China and India.

“We are pleased to have Midwest-CBK as part of our growing family,” CEO Mary Propes said in a written statement.

“The strength of MVP’s core competency of global sourcing and its focused approach toward strategic marketing and branding initiatives will benefit our growth objectives,” Propes said, “whereas the Midwest-CBK innovative design and development team and large, established customer base will further an overall growth strategy in the premium channel in branded candles, seasonal decorative accessories, decor and giftware.”

Drawn to the area by the proximity to the port, MVP relocated a distribution center and its corporate headquarters to Cainhoy Park from Mayfield, Ky., about 10 years ago. The company makes and markets an extensive line of fragrance products and accessories for the home, including scented candles and potpourri.

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