Newell Rubbermaid expands Shanghai office

Seeing opportunity in China for brands such as Irwin, Dymo and Lenox, Newell Rubbermaid pushes what it calls a "Growth Game Plan." 

Newell Rubbermaid announced the expansion of its office in Shanghai as the company continues to drive its Growth Game Plan. The expanded Shanghai office currently houses nearly 200 employees, with additional capacity for future growth. 

With China’s steel production approaching half of total world output, the company’s Lenox brand of industrial cutting solutions has seen strong growth by enabling the processing of steel and other metals into manufactured goods, especially in heavy industries, such as aviation, shipbuilding and autos. 

“We are adding space to accommodate a growing team with new capabilities, supported by a larger investment in the brands within our portfolio that have the ability to win bigger in this priority market,” said Bill Burke, chief operating officer of Newell Rubbermaid. “For a number of years, our Tools and Fine Writing businesses have led the way in China with solid growth, and our Commercial Products and Baby segments are also making good progress. We are now in a position to begin building our go-to-market system at scale in China, utilizing Shanghai as a key hub.” 

The rise of urbanization and the growth of mega-cities are fueling a construction boom, which is an opportunity for the company’s Irwin Tools and Dymo industrial labeling products, according to Newell. 

The expanded Shanghai office adds to existing sales and procurement offices in Beijing and Shenzhen, several Tools technical centers and a Fine Writing innovation center, as well as a number of manufacturing and distribution facilities across China. The office is located in the recently opened Gubei International Fortune Center II development in the Gubei New District of Shanghai.