Spectrum Brands moves HQ to Madison suburbs

Spectrum Brands Holdings is following up on its plans, announced in January 2012, to move its headquarters to the Discovery Springs area of Middleton, Wis., a Madison suburb.

The move includes its world headquarters, its technology center and several North American divisional operations. More than 500 full-time employees have been implicated in the transition.

The new facility promises to be more economical and energy efficient, and can accommodate up to 675 full-time employees, which played into the company's decision to stay in the Madison area. Spectrum had previously considered moving its headquarters and North American Remington care operations to Miramar, Fla.

“In this challenging economic environment in which companies operate, we must reduce costs to maintain an operating structure aligned with today’s market conditions and enable Spectrum Brands to remain competitive and continue to grow over the long-term,” said Dave Lumley, CEO of Spectrum Brands Holdings. “That is why we moved our world headquarters from Atlanta back to the greater Madison area three years ago."

The new facility features the Spectrum Brands Institute of Design & Technology, which includes state-of-the-art labs and equipment and 20% more space for research, innovation and new product development, all dedicated to the company's battery, personal care and home appliances businesses.

“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 Lumley. “We are pleased about our move to Middleton, as well as our ability to retain our world headquarters, and North American appliances operations and R&D functions in the greater Madison area of Wisconsin, and continue our long history of investment in our state, which includes capital spending of approximately $40 million over the next five years.”

The transition is expected to be completed before the end of the year, when the lease on its current Madison headquarters on Rayovac Drive is set to expire.