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Description Of Business
6 Months Ended
Apr. 01, 2012
Description Of Business [Abstract]  
Description Of Business

1 DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Spectrum Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Spectrum Brands" or the "Company"), is a global branded consumer products company. Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. ("SB Holdings") was created in connection with the combination of Spectrum Brands and Russell Hobbs, Inc. ("Russell Hobbs"), a global branded small appliance company, to form a new combined company (the "Merger"). The Merger was consummated on June 16, 2010. As a result of the Merger, both Spectrum Brands and Russell Hobbs became wholly-owned subsidiaries of SB Holdings. Russell Hobbs was subsequently merged into Spectrum Brands. SB Holdings trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SPB."

Unless the context indicates otherwise, the term "Company" is used to refer to both Spectrum Brands and its subsidiaries prior to the Merger and subsequent to the Merger.

The Company's operations include the worldwide manufacturing and marketing of alkaline, zinc carbon and hearing aid batteries, as well as aquariums and aquatic health supplies and the designing and marketing of rechargeable batteries, battery-powered lighting products, electric shavers and accessories, grooming products and hair care appliances. The Company's operations also include the manufacturing and marketing of specialty pet supplies. The Company also manufactures and markets herbicides, insecticides and insect repellents in North America. The Company also designs, markets and distributes a broad range of branded small appliances and personal care products. The Company's operations utilize manufacturing and product development facilities located in the United States ("U.S."), Europe, Latin America and Asia.

The Company sells its products in approximately 120 countries through a variety of trade channels, including retailers, wholesalers and distributors, hearing aid professionals, industrial distributors and original equipment manufacturers and enjoys name recognition in its markets under the Rayovac, VARTA and Remington brands, each of which has been in existence for more than 80 years, and under the Tetra, 8-in-1, Spectracide, Cutter, Black & Decker, George Foreman, Russell Hobbs, Farberware, Black Flag, FURminator and various other brands.

The Company's global branded consumer products have positions in seven major product categories: consumer batteries; small appliances; pet supplies; electric shaving and grooming; electric personal care; portable lighting; and home and garden controls. The Company's chief operating decision-maker manages the businesses of the Company in three vertically integrated, product-focused reporting segments: (i) Global Batteries & Appliances, which consists of the Company's worldwide battery, electric shaving and grooming, electric personal care, portable lighting and small appliances, primarily in the kitchen and home product categories ("Global Batteries & Appliances"); (ii) Global Pet Supplies, which consists of the Company's worldwide pet supplies business ("Global Pet Supplies"); and (iii) Home and Garden Business, which consists of the Company's home and garden and insect control business (the "Home and Garden Business"). Management reviews the performance of the Company based on these segments. For information pertaining to our business segments, see Note 11, "Segment Results".