Fifth multi-branded facility supports global strategy of reducing costs and
improving efficiency; adds 300 jobs in metro Atlanta
ATLANTA, Jan. 14, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Newell Rubbermaid
(NYSE: NWL) today announced it is continuing to reduce costs and improve
efficiency in its global distribution network with the planned opening of a
fifth new multi-branded distribution facility. The 800,000 square-foot
distribution center in metro Atlanta, which will have 300 employees in two
shifts, is part of Newell Rubbermaid's ongoing strategy to convert many
single-brand distribution centers to select multi-brand distribution
centers that are located more centrally.
"This new distribution center further supports our global objective to
achieve operational excellence and best total cost across our strong
portfolio of brands," said Mark Ketchum, president and chief executive
officer of Newell Rubbermaid. "We are continuing to make solid progress in
eliminating redundancies and reducing our operational footprint, while
increasing efficiency and delivering improved customer service."
Ketchum added, "The location of our new distribution center in metro
Atlanta is yet another demonstration of our commitment to putting down
deeper roots in the community, and we are excited to be adding significant
new jobs in our home state of Georgia."
The new facility continues Newell Rubbermaid's progress in
rationalizing its global distribution network, while reducing
transportation costs and improving shipping efficiency. The company's
global distribution facility footprint has been reduced from 96 facilities
to fewer than 80, with a goal of decreasing to approximately 50 over the
next two years. This global initiative is expected to yield significant
increases in the utilization rates for each facility while driving
anticipated cost savings of $30 million and improved customer service.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release that are not historical in nature
constitute forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements
relate to information or assumptions about the effects of Project
Acceleration, sales, income/(loss), earnings per share, operating income or
gross margin improvements, capital and other expenditures, cash flow,
dividends, restructuring costs, costs and cost savings, debt ratings, and
management's plans, projections and objectives for future operations and
performance. These statements are accompanied by words such as "expect,"
"project," "will," "believes," "estimate" and similar expressions. Actual
results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, our dependence on the strength
of retail economies; competition with other manufacturers and distributors
of consumer products; major retailers' strong bargaining power; changes in
the prices of raw materials; our ability to develop innovative new products
and to develop, maintain and strengthen our end-user brands; our ability to
expeditiously close facilities and move operations while managing foreign
regulations and other impediments; our ability to implement successfully
information technology solutions throughout our organization; our ability
to improve productivity and streamline operations; the risks inherent in
our foreign operations and those factors listed in the company's most
recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and Exhibit 99.1 thereto, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Changes in such assumptions or
factors could produce significantly different results. The information
contained in this news release is as of the date indicated. The company
assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in
this news release as a result of new information or future events or
developments.
About Newell Rubbermaid
Newell Rubbermaid Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a global marketer of
consumer and commercial products with sales of over $6 billion and a strong
portfolio of brands, including Rubbermaid(R), Sharpie(R), Graco(R),
Calphalon(R), Irwin(R), Lenox(R), Levolor(R), Paper Mate(R), Dymo(R),
Waterman(R), Parker(R), Goody(R), Bernzomatic(R) and Amerock(R). The
company is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and has approximately 22,500
employees worldwide.
This press release and additional information about Newell Rubbermaid
are available on the company's Web site, http://www.newellrubbermaid.com.
NWL-CO
SOURCE Newell Rubbermaid Inc.
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CONTACT:
Ron Hardnock, Vice President, Investor
Relations, +1-770-407-3994, or David Doolittle, Vice President,
Corporate Communications, +1-770-407-3613, both of Newell
Rubbermaid Inc.
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