Rubbermaid
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Household goods |
| Founded | January 1, 1920 in Wooster, Ohio, United States |
| Founder | Group of nine entrepreneurs |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Food storage containers, trash cans, sheds, step stools, shelving units, closets, laundry baskets, bins, air fresheners, various domestic products |
| Parent | Newell Brands |
Rubbermaid is a U.S.-based producer and supplier of household goods. Operating as a division of Newell Brands, it is primarily recognized for its food storage containers and trash cans. Additionally, the firm manufactures sheds, step stools, shelving units, closets, laundry baskets, bins, air fresheners, alongside various other domestic products.
History
The company originated in 1920 in Wooster, Ohio under the name Wooster Rubber Company, established by a group of nine entrepreneurs. Its initial product line consisted of toy balloons.
In 1933, James R. Caldwell and his wife secured a patent for a blue rubber dustpan, marketing their rubber kitchenware under the Rubbermaid brand.
A year later, in 1934, Horatio Ebert consolidated Rubbermaid with Wooster Rubber. Although maintaining the Wooster Rubber name, household rubber products were marketed using the Rubbermaid brand.
Rubbermaid grew through strategic acquisitions such as the purchase of toy manufacturer Little Tikes in 1984, competitor Gott Corporation in 1985, and baby product maker Graco (baby products) in 1996.
In 1999, Newell acquired Rubbermaid for $6 billion and rebranded as Newell Rubbermaid. Following a merger with Jarden in 2016, the company adopted the name Newell Brands.
The headquarters moved from Wooster to Atlanta, Georgia in 2003, which led to substantial workforce reductions: 850 manufacturing and warehouse roles were cut and 409 office positions relocated. A distribution facility remained at the original site until it was acquired by GOJO Industries.
Rubbermaid was highlighted as a case example in the 2004 PBS Frontline documentary titled "Is Walmart Good for America?".
Timeline
- 1920 Establishment of Wooster Rubber.
- 1927 Management transition to Horatio Ebert and Errett Grable.
- 1933 Introduction of Rubbermaid with its inaugural dustpan.
- 1934 Merger of Wooster Rubber and Rubbermaid; Rubbermaid products marketed.
- 1942 Production shifts to military supplies during World War II.
- 1947 Launch of rubber automotive accessory line.
- 1955 Wooster Rubber Company becomes publicly traded.
- 1956 Entry into plastic product manufacturing.
- 1957 Renaming of Wooster Rubber Company to Rubbermaid.
- 1965 Acquisition of German firm Dupol.
- 1976 Strike involving 1,100 members of United Rubber Workers union.
- 1981 Acquisition of Con-Tact plastic coverings.
- 1984 Purchase of Little Tikes Company.
- 1999 Acquisition by Newell for $5.8 billion; renamed Newell Rubbermaid.
- 2003 Headquarters relocation to Atlanta, Georgia.
- 2016 Rebranding as Newell Brands post-Jarden merger.
- 2017 Divestiture of Rubbermaid totes line to United Solutions.
Former CEOs
- 1933–1959 James Caldwell
- 1959–1980 Donald Noble
- 1980–1991 Stanley C. Gault
- 1991–1992 Walter W. Williams
- 1993–1999 Wolfgang Schmitt
Acquisitions
Prior to merging with Newell Brands:
- 1965 Dupol (Germany)
- 1981 Carlan
- 1984 Little Tikes (later sold to MGA Entertainment in 2006)
- 1985 Gott Corporation
- 1986 MicroComputer Accessories
- 1986 Seco Industries
- 1987 Viking Brush (Canada)
- 1990 Eldon Industries
- 1992 Iron Mountain Forge Corporation
- 1994 Carex Health Care Products
- 1995 Injectaplastic S.A (France)
- 1996 Graco (baby products)
- 1997 Curver (Europe; divested in 2005)