Rayovac Batteries Enters Portable Power Pack in Department of Defense Wearable Power Prize Competition
MADISON, Wis., Sep 15, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rayovac announced today the successful development and testing of a wearable soldier power pack that will be entered in the Department of Defense's Wearable Power Prize Competition which begins September 22nd . The Million Dollar Wearable Power Prize is offered by the DOD in an effort to accelerate technology development that can reduce the weight burden of portable power to the soldier. This development reinforces Rayovac's reputation as an overall battery technology leader.
"We have developed many battery chemistries over Rayovac's 102 year history," said Bill Bushong, Corporate Manager of Lithium Battery Technology. "Our latest soldier power pack draws from the breadth and depth of our knowledge and understanding of high power batteries. This Lithium (Li -- CFx) soldier power pack is our most powerful battery pack to date."
Rayovac started development of its hybrid power pack in December of 2007. The advanced hybrid technology used in this pack provides very high power with extremely low weight in a safe, portable configuration. The pack is fueled by Li-CFx batteries, which have been made by Rayovac since 1981.
"Our soldier power pack was designed with manufacturability in mind," Rayovac Power Team Leader, Greg Davidson said. "No matter the results of the contest, our testing has demonstrated that the Army's objective of providing light weight power to the soldier is achievable with a battery. Tests of our soldier pack have already exceeded the capacity and weight requirements of the contest."
Battery powered devices are essential equipment on today's sophisticated battlefield. Modern soldiers, once dependent on firepower, are now more dependent upon technologies, including battery power, to support the myriad technological devices used in warfare and peacekeeping missions today. Devices such as Global Positioning Systems, night vision goggles, radio communications devices and weapons sites all depend on portable battery power. Rayovac has a history of supporting the troops with powering their ever-advancing technology, having provided batteries to the US military since 1917.
The results of the Department of Defense Competition will be announced on October 4th, 2008.
Information regarding Rayovac and other Spectrum Brands products can be found by visiting www.rayovac.com and www.spectrumbrands.com.
About Spectrum Brands, Inc.
Spectrum Brands is a global consumer products company and a leading supplier of batteries, portable lighting, lawn and garden products, household insect control, shaving and grooming products, personal care products and specialty pet supplies. Spectrum Brands' products are sold by the world's top 25 retailers and are available in more than one million stores in 120 countries around the world. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Spectrum Brands generated net sales of $2.0 billion in fiscal 2007 and has approximately 7,100 employees worldwide. The company's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SPC.
SOURCE: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
Dig Communications for Rayovac Batteries
Melissa Layton
312-577-1775
mlayton@digcommunications.com