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Newell Rubbermaid 4 2015 Annual Report
The past year has been a transformative one for Newell
Rubbermaid. We recorded one of our best performances
ever, reflecting accelerating operating momentum in our
businesses. We continued to strengthen our portfolio
with the acquisition of Elmer’s Products Company,
extending the footprint of our Writing segment into crafts
and drawing. And in December 2015, we announced a
definitive agreement to combine Newell Rubbermaid
with Jarden Corporation to create Newell Brands. When
completed, this transaction will establish Newell Brands
as one of the leading consumer brand companies in the
world with pro forma revenues of over $16 billion.
Importantly, we enter into this combination with momentum.
Our performance in 2015 was strong, representing the early
payo of the Growth Game Plan. We accelerated our results,
delivering core sales growth of 5.5 percent, increased gross
and normalized operating margins, and record normalized
earnings per share. In addition, we returned $387 million to
shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases.
Our accelerating growth and performance is due to the
sharp choices we have made regarding brands, capabilities
and portfolio priorities, and excellent commercial execution
on the part of our people. We have built advantaged brand
development, insights, design and innovation capabilities,
including a purpose-built design center, and supported
our brands with industry-leading investment that has
reshaped the performance arc of the company. Our capacity
to invest in our capability agenda and our brands has been
enabled by our work to make Newell Rubbermaid a
leaner, more ecient enterprise. We have attacked the
structural costs in the business and pivoted the investment
to those activities that strengthen our brands and drive
growth. Coupled with our actions to optimize our portfolio,
these choices are yielding strong, competitive results.
Four years ago we made the strategic choice
to reposition Newell Rubbermaid from a
holding company to an operating company,
releasing costs through Project Renewal and
reinvesting those savings in support of our
brands and an advantaged set of capabilities.
Our strong 2015 performance gives us
confidence that the operating model we have in
place today can be extended to more categories,
more brands and more geographies.
“
”
Michael B. Polk
President and
Chief Executive Ofcer
TO OUR
SHAREHOLDERS
LEADERSHIP /
5.5%
CORE SALES
GROWTH
$2.18
RECORD-LEVEL
NORMALIZED EPS