Smarte Carte Adds Massage Chairs To Its Product Line

Smarte Carte has acquired assets of two massage chair companies: Sit Back & Relax, of Bedford, N.H., and First Class Seats Inc. of Racine, Wis.
 
The companies operate more than 4,200 vended massage chairs at more than 600 airports, shopping centers and other public venues nationwide.
 
“We are delighted to complete the acquisition of Sit Back & Relax and First Class Seats, as we believe the massage chair business concept closely resembles our other businesses and the product is well suited for all the markets where we already do business,” says Ed Rudis, president and chief executive officer of Smart Carte. “This is an excellent fit with our strategy to bring additional products and services to our existing customers.”
 
Mark and Marsha Eberhardt, founders of First Class Seats, and Tim Kelleher and Mike Habib, senior executives with Sit Back & Relax, will join Smarte Carte and be involved in day-to-day management of the business.
 
The chairs, which are now known as First Class Seats by Smarte Carte, offer three-minute, “deep tissue” massages for $1, or 15 minutes for $15.
 
Smarte Carte, known for its vended luggage carts which debuted in 1967, also features computerized electronic lockers and self-serve, vended strollers. Its latest concept, the Charge Carte, provides air travelers with charging cords for cell phones, smartphones and iPods.