Contact: Cullen Werwie, 608-267-7303
WEDC: Tom Thieding, 608-267-9661
Spectrum Brands: Dave Prichard, 608-278-6141
MADISON – Governor Scott Walker announced today that Spectrum Brands Holdings has received a $4,000,000 award from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to maintain jobs at its corporate headquarters in the Madison area and make capital investments at its Wisconsin operations.
“We’re pleased that Spectrum is committed to staying in Wisconsin and is making a major investment in its operations,” said Governor Walker. “We’re also excited that they are currently in the process of hiring up to 60 workers at their headquarters.”
The terms of the award require Spectrum Brands to maintain up to 470 existing full-time jobs in the Madison area and make at least $40,000,000 of capital investments in its Wisconsin operations in order to meet the conditions of the award. In addition to its Madison area worldwide headquarters, Spectrum has battery manufacturing plants in Fennimore and Portage, and a returns center in DeForest.
“This award has been provided to preserve jobs at Spectrum Brands headquarters as part of the company’s investment in its operations,” according to Paul Jadin, CEO of the WEDC.
“Since our origins, more than 100 years ago, as a battery manufacturer on Madison’s east side, our company has played a significant role as a major employer in Dane County and other parts of Wisconsin,” said Dave Lumley, Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. “We appreciate this award from Governor Walker and WEDC as we have made a commitment to retain our headquarters and operations in Wisconsin and invest in our future in the state.”
As part of today’s announcement, Spectrum Brands said it plans to immediately hire up to 60 persons to fill positions primarily at its Madison headquarters in key functions including sales, marketing and operations, as well as other general and administrative functions such as finance and accounting. Interested individuals should go to http://www.spectrumbrands.com/Careers/.
As part of its broader commitment to and investment in the greater Madison area, Spectrum Brands said it will continue to sponsor the Clean Lakes Alliance, a diverse group of public and private organizations dedicated to restoring Madison’s lakes to the condition they need to be to help keep Madison a destination for business in the region.
About Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.
Spectrum Brands Holdings is a global and diversified consumer products company and a leading supplier of batteries, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn & garden and home pest control products, personal insect repellents and portable lighting. Helping to meet the needs of consumers worldwide, the company offers a broad portfolio of market-leading, well-known and widely trusted brands including Rayovac®, Remington®, Varta®, George Foreman®, Black & Decker®, Toastmaster®, Farberware®, Tetra®, Marineland®, Nature’s Miracle®, Dingo®, 8-in-1®, Littermaid®, Spectracide®, Cutter®, Repel®, and Hot Shot®. Spectrum Brands Holdings’ products are sold by the world’s top 25 retailers and are available in more than one million stores in more than 120 countries around the world. Spectrum Brands Holdings generated net sales of approximately $3.2 billion in fiscal 2011. For more information, visit http://www.spectrumbrands.com.
About WEDC
The WEDC is Wisconsin’s lead economic development agency.
