New at Newell Rubbermaid: Corporate realignment
Newell Rubbermaid is consolidating its current three operating groups into two -- Newell Consumer and Newell Professional.
The move, part of its previous realignment of its global business units as part of its Project Renewal initiative, will also see 13 global business units roll into nine. These changes take effect Jan. 1, 2012.
"The creation of two operating groups and nine global business units will simplify our organization and free up resources to be invested back into key growth initiatives and strengthened capabilities," said Newell Rubbermaid president and CEO Michael Polk. "These changes are key enablers to building a bigger, faster growing, more global, more profitable Newell Rubbermaid."
Newell Professional will comprise four global business units: Commercial Products, Construction Tools & Accessories, Labeling Technology & Integrated Solutions, and Industrial Products & Services. These four professional-facing global business units will report to William A. Burke III, group president, Newell Professional.
Newell Consumer will also comprise four global business units: Home Organization & Style, Writing & Creative Expression, Fine Writing, and Culinary Lifestyles. These four consumer-facing global business units will report to Penny McIntyre, croup president, Newell Consumer.
As previously announced, the Baby & Parenting Essentials global business unit will report directly to CEO Polk.
The Construction Tools & Accessories GBU will comprise the current Construction Tools & Accessories GBU and the former Hardware GBU. Key brands in this new GBU are Irwin, Shur-Line, Bulldog and Ashland.
The Home Organization & Style GBU will comprise the Rubbermaid Consumer GBU, Décor GBU and the Beauty & Style GBU. Key brands in this new GBU are Rubbermaid, Levolor and Goody.
The Labeling Technology & Integrated Solutions GBU is simply a name change from the Office Technology GBU and a realignment of this GBU to the Newell Professional operating group. The Writing & Creative Expression GBU will comprise the current Everyday Writing GBU and the Markers, Highlighters, Art & Office Organization GBU.