Newell Rubbermaid builds Design Center

Newell Rubbermaid says it will create a state-of-the-art Design Center to accelerate growth through enhanced capabilities in design and innovation.

The new center of excellence is expected to open by early 2014 in Kalamazoo, Mich., an area rich in talented designers, the company said.  

This will enable Newell Rubbermaid to add depth in new design specialties; join a strong local presence of design-led companies including Herman Miller, Steelcase, Whirlpool, Stryker and Wolverine; and participate in a growing educational community that includes Western Michigan University.

"Great design and creativity is the difference between a standard product and one that is beautiful in every way and drives consumer preference," said Chuck Jones, Newell Rubbermaid's chief design and research and development officer. "Our new Design Center will be a best-in-class facility that enables us to attract the best international design talent to work on a wonderful portfolio of leading brands."

The new 40,000-sq.-ft. facility will employ up to 100 design professionals, and has been carefully planned to foster creativity and maximize the sharing of ideas and technologies among the company's brands.