Portage, WI, August 1st, 2014 – Today, Rayovac’s Portage plant is celebrating 50 years of operation. To commemorate half a century of community involvement in the city of Portage, Rayovac is proud to announce this unique milestone.
Rayovac, a division of Spectrum Brands, Inc. (a subsidiary of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.) Holdings headquartered in Middleton, WI, holds the rank of global market leader while producing the number one selling hearing aid battery in the world. Rayovac’s proprietary formulation and manufacturing process were crucial to achieving these lofty milestones. All Rayovac hearing aid batteries are produced in Portage or at a companion facility in the United Kingdom. Each year, the facility manufactures hundreds of millions of hearing aid batteries, its primary focus, while also producing a large quantity of lithium batteries.
Over the course of 50 years, the Portage facility has experienced a number of significant milestones. The Portage plant was constructed in 1963, with production commencing in 1964. From that point, the Rayovac Portage manufacturing facility has continually grown in both size and scope of production. By 1977, production demands had grown beyond manufacturing capacity, so Rayovac moved into its current facility on Portage Road. In 1982, the facility began producing zinc air batteries.
“The Portage plant has been successful for the past half a century because of the adaptability of the workforce as well as continual investment in product development and new technology,” said Dave Young, Portage Plant Manager. “The plant’s steady growth through the years is a testament to the commitment and effort of everyone working at this facility.”
Rayovac has been at the forefront for its industry leadership in technology, performance, reliability and sustainability. A proud member of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Mercury Partnership, Rayovac is committed to removing mercury from hearing aid batteries and urging the ban on usage of those with mercury in the U.S. At the 2012 In Business Sustainability Awards Program, the plant won the prestigious Eco-Product of the Year Award for eliminating mercury from its hearing aid batteries and the Eco-Efficiency Initiative of the Year Award in recognition of its effort to improve the plant’s practices and achieving a reduction in its carbon footprint.
About Rayovac
Rayovac is a worldwide leader in battery power and innovation. Backed by a long history of bringing the latest innovations to the marketplace, Rayovac offers a full range of high-performance batteries to meet the power needs of today’s consumers. From long-lasting alkaline batteries to its rechargeable technology to the world’s top-selling, longest lasting mercury free hearing aid batteries, Rayovac’s state-of-the-art products offer more power for the money. The company also sells a wide selection of high-quality flashlights. For more information, visit www.rayovac.com or the Rayovac Expo Page on AudiologyOnline.
About Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.
Spectrum Brands Holdings is a global and diversified consumer products company and a leading supplier of consumer batteries, residential locksets, residential builders’ hardware, faucets, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn and garden and home pest control products, and personal insect repellents. Helping to meet the needs of consumers worldwide, our Company offers a broad portfolio of market-leading, well-known and widely trusted brands including Rayovac®, Varta®, Kwikset®, Weiser®, Baldwin®, National Hardware®, Pfister®, Remington®, George Foreman®, Black & Decker®, Toastmaster®, Farberware®, Tetra®, Marineland®, Nature’s Miracle®, Dingo®, 8-in-1®, FURminator®, Littermaid®, Spectracide®, Cutter®, Repel®, Hot Shot®, Black Flag® and Liquid Fence®. Spectrum Brands' products are sold by the world's top 25 retailers and are available in more than one million stores in approximately 140 countries. Spectrum Brands Holdings generated net sales of approximately $4.1 billion in fiscal 2013. For more information, visit www.spectrumbrands.com.
