Aha! Rival was indeed acquired by Holmes in 1999.
And Warren Buffet was behind it!

http://www.berkshirepartners.com/case_holmes.shtml

Rival was once a very good name, earned over many
years of producing quality products. What a shame
that name is now being put on made-in-China junk!

I'll have to admit that Warren Buffet was clever
in recognizing an opportunity to score a quick
profit that way. I hope he doesn't notice Weber.