1900’s |
|
| 1904 |
AFA forms VARTA to manufacture small portable lead accumulators. |
| 1906 |
The French Battery Company is founded in
Madison, Wisconsin. |
1930’s |
|
| |
The French Battery Company is renamed the Rayovac Company. |
| 1933 |
Rayovac patented the first wearable vacuum tube hearing aid. |
| 1936 |
The Remington Electric Shaver Division of Remington Rand is formed. |
| 1937 |
Remington introduces its first electric dry shaver, the Close Shaver. |
| 1939 |
The first leak-proof “sealed in steel” dry cell battery is introduced by Rayovac. |
| 1939 |
Remington introduces millions of Americans to the "dry shave" at the New York World's Fair. |
| 1940's |
|
| 1940 |
"Two Heads Are Better Than One!" Remington introduces its first two-headed shaver, the Remington Dual. |
| 1941 |
Remington introduces the first multi-headed shaver with a trimming head, the Foursome. |
| 1946 |
AFA produces the first dry-cell batteries in Ellwangen, Germany under the BMF name. |
| 1949 |
Rayovac introduces the crown cell alkaline for hearing aids and launches the famous steel Sportsman flashlight. |
| 1950's |
|
| |
Retired General, Douglas MacArthur, serves as Chairman of the Board of Remington Rand, Inc. |
| 1955 |
Remington Rand Inc. merges with Sperry Corporation to become Sperry Rand Corporation. |
| 1955 |
AFA devises a paperlined battery with double-clad separator at its Ellwangen portable battery plant. |
| 1960's |
|
| 1960 |
Remington introduces the first cordless shaver, the Lektronic. Using rechargeable nickel cadmium energy cells, this shaver can store enough energy for several days of cordless shaves. |
| 1960 |
Building on the strength of VARTA brand automobile batteries, all AFA batteries are now distributed under the VARTA name. |
| 1970's |
|
| 1971 |
Rayovac is awarded the patent for silver oxide button cells. |
| 1972 |
Rayovac introduces the first heavy-duty all zinc chloride battery with double the life of general purpose batteries. |
| 1975 |
Remington moves from the "Slot Head" cutting system to the flexible foil system called "Soft Touch.” |
| 1977 |
VARTA AG is split into three companies; Varta AG (Batteries), Altana AG and CEAG AG. |
| 1979 |
"I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company." Sperry Rand sells its shaver business to Victor Kiam. Remington Products, Inc. is created. |
| 1980's |
|
| 1984 |
Rayovac introduces the Workhorse premium flashlight with its lifetime warranty. |
| 1988 |
Rayovac introduces a new computer clock battery to power the real-time clocks of personal computers. |
| 1990's |
|
| 1990 |
The heavy-duty and industrial product lines are introduced by Rayovac. |
| 1993 |
Rayovac introduces Renewal, a reusable, long-life alkaline battery. |
| 1993 |
Remington acquires Clairol Inc.’s worldwide personal care appliance business. |
| 1995 |
Basketball superstar Michael Jordan becomes the spokesperson for Renewable Reusable Alkaline Batteries and Power Station chargers. |
| 1996 |
Remington Products is reorganized and becomes Remington Products Company, LLC |
| 1996 |
Thomas H. Lee Company acquires Rayovac, and announces plans to go public. |
| 1997 |
Rayovac makes initial public offering of 6.7 million shares at $14 per share. |
| 1997 |
All of VARTA's portable battery divisions are combined into one called VARTA Geratebatterie GmbH. |
| 1999 |
Rayovac acquires ROV Limited, establishing them as a global brand with markets worldwide. |
| 2000's |
|
| 2001 |
Rayovac introduces breakthrough 1-Hour Charger and high capacity Nickel-Metal Hydride Rechargeable Batteries. |
| 2002 |
Rayovac announces development of revolutionary new 15-minute rechargeable technology, I-C3. |
| 2002 |
Rayovac acquires European-based battery maker VARTA’s consumer battery business. |
| 2003 |
Rayovac introduces new 15-Minute charger and rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries, using the I-C3 technology. |
| 2003 |
Remington introduces shavers with the added benefit of Titanium. |
| 2003 |
Rayovac acquires Remington Products Company, LLC. |
| 2003 |
Rayovac relocates corporate headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia . |
| 2004 |
Rayovac acquires 85% share in Ningbo Baowang, a Chinese battery manufacturing facility. |
| 2004 |
Rayovac acquires Microlite S.A., a Brazilian battery company. |
| 2005 |
Rayovac acquires United Industries Corporation |
| 2005 |
Rayovac acquires Tetra Holding GmbH, a privately-held supplier of fish and aquatics supplies headquartered in Melle, Germany, and the leading global brand in foods, equipment and care products for fish and reptiles, as well as accessories for home aquariums and ponds. |
| 2005 |
Rayovac changes name to Spectrum Brands and will trade on NYSE as 'SPC' |
