• June 13, 2007

Black & Decker's Applica Consumer Products, Inc. has appointed John M. Silvestri as president of its LitterMaid Pet Division.

Prior to joining Applica, Silvestri was president of the Pet Products Division of The Farnam Companies Inc., which makes and markets health care products primarily for horses, household pets and livestock.

Applica recently sued Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc. and Lucky Litter LLC for patent infringement. Applica is seeking, among other things, compensation for past infringement and an injunction of future sales of Doskocil's PetMate Purrforma and Stylette LitterSweep and Lucky Litter's ScoopFree automated litter box products.

--Karl Greenberg