Spectrum Brands History

Spectrum Brands, Inc.

Spectrum Brands, Inc. is a consumer products company that sells products in more than 120 countries around the world. Formerly known as Rayovac Corporation, Spectrum Brands, Inc. is the third largest battery producer in the United States. The company operates under various brands such as Rayovac, VARTA, Remington, Hot Shot, Repel, Cutter, Tetra, Spectracide, and 8in1. These brands offer a wide array of products including rechargeable batteries, specialty batteries for devices such as hearing aids and MP3 players, pet food and supplies, lawn and garden products, grooming and electric shaving products, electric personal care products, insecticides and insect repellants, and portable lighting devices.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Spectrum Brands does most of its business in the U.S., with Walmart making up about 20% of total sales. Spectrum uses various trade channels, such as wholesalers, distributors, retailers, original equipment manufacturers, and hearing aid professionals to offer its products all around the globe.

Founded in 1906, Spectrum Brands, Inc. originally operated under the name The French Battery Company in Madison, Wisconsin. With growing demands from radio and government agencies, the company changed its name to Ray-O-Vac in the 1930s. In 1933, Ray-O-Vac patented the first wearable vacuum tube hearing aid and in 1937, the first high-fidelity reception portable radio. 1939 brought about the first dry cell battery, which became an important part of bazookas and mine detectors during the Second World War. Growth also came about in 1957 when Ray-O-Vac merged with the Electric Storage Battery Company and again in 1971 when awarded the patent for silver oxide button cells.

In 1982, Ray-O-Vac changed its name to Rayovac when Thomas and Judy Pyle bought the company. 1984 brought about the Workhorse brand, expanding the company into lighting products. Rayovac introduced a computer clock battery in 1988 that...