Rayovac
Rayovac (known as Ray-O-Vac until 1988) is a brand of batteries owned by Spectrum Brands of Madison, Wisconsin, United States, North America.[citation needed]
History
In 1906, Rayovac was founded in Madison, Wisconsin, by James Bowen Ramsay (1869-1952) as the French Battery Co., with Alfred Landau as its first president. In 1910, Landau was replaced by C.F. Burgess, and the company became profitable. After a fire destroyed the plant in 1915, Burgess left to found his own company. Production rose during the First World War, and by 1920, the French company had US$2.74 million in sales and 600 employees, and 1000 employees in 1931.[1]
In 1930, the company name was changed to Ray-O-Vac, an allusion to the then-new technology of vacuum tubes and electron rays. In 1933, the company patented the first wearable vacuum tube hearing aid.[2] During World War II the Blake Manufacturing Division joined five other firms to form the New England Small Arms Corporation for manufacture of M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles.[3]
During its ownership by the parent company of ESB Industrials, a British subsidiary was established to manufacture and market batteries in the United Kingdom under the Ray-O-Vac name. This operation ceased in 1972; Ray-O-Vac batteries continued to be marketed, although they were manufactured by the British Ever Ready company.[citation needed]
In 2005, Rayovac changed its name to Spectrum Brands after it acquired non-battery related businesses including Remington Products and United Pet Group. Rayovac also bought other battery companies including Varta, Ningbo Baowang, and Microlite S.A.. The Microlite acquisition included the rights to the Rayovac name in Brazil, giving the company worldwide rights to the Rayovac name.[4]
Products
Rayovac manufactures alkaline batteries ranging in size from AAA to 9V, the "Renewal" rechargeable alkaline series, and several types of NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries with recharge times as low as 15 minutes. Rayovac also makes hearing aid batteries, lithium photo batteries, and specialty batteries. In addition, a variety of portable LED flashlights and lanterns are produced under the Rayovac brand.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Stuart D. Levitan (ed), Madison: The Illustrated Sesquicentennial History Vol. 1, University of Wisconsin Press, 2006 ISBN 0-299-21674-8, p 201.
- ^ Rayovac company history timeline
- ^ Canfield, Bruce N. American Rifleman (March 2008) pp.35-36
- ^ "Rayovac to Acquire Microlite S.A." (Press release). Spectrum Brands. 2006-02-25. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
Bibliography
External links
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