History Channel to Celebrate Spectrum Brands' 100th Anniversary on 'History's Business' May 28 at 8 am EDT; ''Brand New 100-Year-Old Company'' Lauded for History of Innovation

05/22/06

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2006--Spectrum Brands, Inc. (NYSE: SPC), a diversified global consumer products company, announced it will be featured in this Sunday's broadcast of "History's Business" on the History Channel at 8 am EDT (check local listings). The program will feature Spectrum Brands Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David A. Jones speaking about the company's many innovations over its 100-year history, since its founding in 1906 as the French Battery Co. in Madison, Wis.

"The spirit of innovation and excellence that drove our first 100 years is still at the core of everything we do," said Jones. "During fiscal year 2006 alone we will launch over 100 new products across seven consumer products categories. As Spectrum Brands, a brand-new 100-year-old company, we are continuing to apply the innovative approach to technology and marketing that has made us successful for a century."

    Among the company's many inventions, past and present, are:

    - the first leak-proof battery;
    - first portable radio;

- first wearable hearing aid and first button cell hearing aid battery;

- first 15-minute battery recharger;

- first universal battery charger (recharges NiCad, NiMH and alkaline batteries);

- first electric dry shaver;

- first hair styling product that dries and straightens hair in one step;

    - first mosquito repellent wipe;
    - first liquid area mosquito repellent;
    - first 24-hour grass and weed killer; and
    - first mulch with pre-emergent weed control.

Spectrum Brands has played a role in historic voyages of discovery over the years, as well. For example, in 1928, Charles Lindbergh carried two Rayovac flashlights as part of his emergency equipment during his first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Six decades later, Rayovac batteries were again aboard a historic flight when Spaceship Columbia made its debut in the first space shuttle mission.

Appropriately fitting for Memorial Day weekend, Sunday's "History's Business" program will also honor the service of Spectrum Brands and its employees during World War II. All Rayovac battery production was diverted to the armed forces during the war to power everything from bazookas to radio communications, and the company invented a new longer-lasting battery technology in response to the special needs of the hot and humid climate of the Pacific theater.

"We have always been supportive of the military, and our company's spirit, innovation and hard work during World War II were unparalleled," Jones said.

Today's Spectrum Brands has been built into a global diversified consumer products company through the following key milestones:

- 1997: Rayovac Corporation goes public on the New York Stock Exchange;

- 2002: European consumer battery maker VARTA, founded in 1904, is acquired;

- 2003: Remington Products Co., manufacturer and marketer of electric razors and personal grooming products founded in 1936, is acquired;

- 2004: Rayovac acquires 85 percent stake in Chinese battery manufacturer Ningbo Baowang;

- 2004: Rayovac acquires Brazilian battery maker Microlite S.A.;

- 2005: United Industries acquired and as a result, the company entered three new growth categories -- lawn & garden products, household insect control and specialty pet products;

- 2005: Tetra Holdings and Jungle Labs acquired; Spectrum becomes world's leader in aquatic products;

- 2005: Rayovac changes its name to Spectrum Brands, Inc., trading as "SPC" on the New York Stock Exchange.

About Spectrum Brands, Inc.

Spectrum Brands is a global consumer products company and a leading supplier of batteries, lawn and garden care products, specialty pet supplies, shaving and grooming products, household insecticides, personal care products and portable lighting. 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 generates approximately $2.6 billion in annual revenues and has approximately 9,800 employees worldwide. The company's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SPC.

CONTACT:
Spectrum Brands, Atlanta
Investor Contact:
Nancy O'Donnell, 770-829-6208

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Media Contact:
David Doolittle, 404-879-9266
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