-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, QHld5W2t11fdvv5tGJIOuFZXOsM8BZviSz/9vE7PVgbhviF9mtrI+XOanx8giMIk 3cXNE9mFoejggoopz/eU8A== 0000950131-98-006217.txt : 19981124 0000950131-98-006217.hdr.sgml : 19981124 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950131-98-006217 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19981120 ITEM INFORMATION: ITEM INFORMATION: FILED AS OF DATE: 19981123 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NEWELL CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000814453 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: GLASS CONTAINERS [3221] IRS NUMBER: 363514169 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-09608 FILM NUMBER: 98756551 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 29 E STEPHENSON ST STREET 2: NEWELL CTR CITY: FREEPORT STATE: IL ZIP: 61032 BUSINESS PHONE: 8152354171 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 29 E STEPHENSON ST STREET 2: NEWELL CTR CITY: FREEPORT STATE: IL ZIP: 61032 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NEW NEWELL CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19870713 8-K 1 FORM 8-K UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 --------------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 20, 1998 ----------------- NEWELL CO. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Delaware 1-9608 36-3514169 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or Other (Commission (IRS Employer Jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.) Incorporation) 29 East Stephenson Street, Freeport, Illinois 61032 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (815) 235-4171 -------------- Item 5. Other Events. As previously reported on a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 20, 1998 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on October 21, 1998 (the "Form 8-K"), Newell Co., a Delaware corporation ("Newell"), agreed to merge (the "Merger") a wholly owned subsidiary of Newell ("Merger Subsidiary") with and into Rubbermaid Incorporated, an Ohio corporation ("Rubbermaid"). The terms of the Merger are set forth in an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated as of October 20, 1998 among Newell, Merger Subsidiary and Rubbermaid. The Merger Agreement was filed as an exhibit to the Form 8-K. In the Merger, each share of Rubbermaid's common stock, par value $1.00 per share, will be converted into 0.7883 of a share of Newell's common stock, par value $1.00 per share. Consummation of the Merger is subject to various conditions. Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits. (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. The following audited financial statements of Rubbermaid have previously been filed with the Commission as part of Rubbermaid's Annual Report on Form 10- K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and are incorporated herein by reference: -Independent Auditors' Report. -Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996. -Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. -Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. -Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. -Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The following unaudited financial statements of Rubbermaid have previously been filed with the Commission as part of Rubbermaid's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 2, 1998 and are incorporated herein by reference: -Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 2, 1998 and December 31, 1997. -Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Nine Months Ended October 2, 1998 and September 30, 1997. -Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended October 2, 1998 and September 30, 1997. -Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. -2- (b) Pro Forma Financial Information. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page ---- Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 . . . . . . . . 6 Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 . . . . . . . . 7 Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income for the Year Ended December 31, 1997 . . . . . . . 8 Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income for the Year Ended December 31, 1996 . . . . . . . 9 Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income for the Year Ended December 31, 1995 . . . . . . . 10 Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
(c) Exhibits. 23.1 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. -3- Item 7(b) Pro Forma Financial Information. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information (the "Unaudited Pro Forma Information") gives effect, under the pooling of interests method of accounting, to the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of Newell Co. ("Newell") into Rubbermaid Incorporated ("Rubbermaid"), with Rubbermaid surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Newell (the "Merger"). The Unaudited Pro Forma Information is presented to reflect the estimated impact of the Merger and the issuance of 0.7883 of a share of Newell common stock for each share of Rubbermaid common stock issued and outstanding as of the effective time of the Merger. As of September 30, 1998 there were approximately 149,975,785 shares of Rubbermaid common stock issued and outstanding. The Unaudited Pro Forma Information is presented as if the Merger had been consummated as of January 1, 1995 for the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income and as of September 30, 1998, for the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet. Newell's financial statements are prepared on a calendar year-end basis of reporting. Rubbermaid's financial statements were prepared on a calendar year-end basis until 1998, when Rubbermaid adopted a fiscal year ending on the Friday nearest December 31. The Unaudited Pro Forma Information gives effect to the reclassifications and adjustments set forth in the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements and does not reflect operating income improvements anticipated as a result of the Merger. The Unaudited Pro Forma Information is not necessarily indicative of the operating results and financial position that might have been achieved had the Merger been consummated at the beginning of the earliest period presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of operating results and financial position that may occur in the future. The Unaudited Pro Forma Information should be read in conjunction with (i) the audited consolidated financial statements and other financial information included in Newell's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 17, 1998, which reflect Newell's 1998 acquisition of Calphalon Corporation as a pooling of interests, including the notes thereto, (ii) the unaudited consolidated financial statements and other financial information included in Newell's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1998, including the notes thereto, (iii) the audited consolidated financial statements and other financial information contained in Rubbermaid's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, including the notes thereto, and (iv) the unaudited consolidated financial statements and other financial information included in Rubbermaid's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 2, 1998, including the notes thereto. -4- UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (IN MILLIONS)
PRO NEWELL RUBBERMAID ADJUSTMENT FORMA -------- ---------- ---------- -------- CURRENT ASSETS Accounts receivable, net........... $ 670.2 $ 493.7 $ -- $1,163.9 Inventories, net................... 776.1 311.2 (0.8)(a) 1,086.5 Other.............................. 321.1 148.0 -- 469.1 -------- -------- ------ -------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS............. 1,767.4 952.9 (0.8) 2,719.5 PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT, NET..... 834.5 784.2 (8.8)(a) 1,609.9 TRADENAMES & GOODWILL, NET, AND OTHER............................... 2,001.8 446.0 (87.8)(a) 2,360.0 -------- -------- ------ -------- TOTAL ASSETS..................... $4,603.7 $2,183.1 $(97.4) $6,689.4 ======== ======== ====== ======== CURRENT LIABILITIES Other accrued liabilities.......... $ 668.0 $ 213.0 $ -- $ 881.0 Notes payable...................... 37.2 434.1 -- 471.3 Other.............................. 356.5 155.2 -- 511.7 -------- -------- ------ -------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES........ 1,061.7 802.3 -- 1,864.0 LONG-TERM DEBT....................... 912.7 152.6 -- 1,065.3 OTHER................................ 243.8 171.3 -- 415.1 COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF A SUBSIDIARY TRUST.... 500.0 -- -- 500.0 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY................. 1,885.5 1,056.9 (97.4)(a) 2,845.0 -------- -------- ------ -------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY.............................. $4,603.7 $2,183.1 $(97.4) $6,689.4 ======== ======== ====== ========
See notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. 5 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
PRO NEWELL RUBBERMAID ADJUSTMENT FORMA -------- ---------- ---------- -------- Net sales.......................... $2,650.3 $1,936.8 $(71.3)(d) $4,515.8 Cost of products sold.............. 1,786.7 1,383.5 -- 3,170.2 -------- -------- ------ -------- GROSS INCOME................... 863.6 553.3 (71.3) 1,345.6 Selling, general and administrative expenses.......................... 404.9 353.8 (71.3)(d) 684.1 (3.3)(e) Trade names and goodwill amortization and other............ 40.5 -- (1.7)(a) 45.5 6.7 (b) Restructuring costs................ -- 73.7 -- 73.7 -------- -------- ------ -------- OPERATING INCOME............... 418.2 125.8 (1.7) 542.3 Net non-operating expenses (income).......................... (169.3) 4.1 (6.7)(b) (168.6) 3.3 (e) -------- -------- ------ -------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES..... 587.5 121.7 1.7 710.9 Income taxes....................... 250.7 42.6 0.7 (a) 294.0 -------- -------- ------ -------- NET INCOME..................... $ 336.8 $ 79.1 $ 1.0 $ 416.9 ======== ======== ====== ======== Earnings per share: Basic............................ $ 2.07 $ 0.53 $ 1.49 Diluted.......................... 2.02 0.53 1.47 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic............................ 162.5 149.9 (31.7)(f) 280.7 Diluted.......................... 173.1 150.3 (31.8)(f) 291.6
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. 6 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
PRO NEWELL RUBBERMAID ADJUSTMENT FORMA -------- ---------- ---------- -------- Net sales............................ $2,395.0 $1,825.4 $ (69.1)(d) $4,151.3 Cost of products sold................ 1,631.2 1,328.0 9.0 (a) 2,968.2 -------- -------- ------- -------- GROSS INCOME..................... 763.8 497.4 (78.1) 1,183.1 Selling, general and administrative expenses............................ 365.1 314.2 1.0 (a) 609.8 (69.1)(d) (1.4)(e) Trade names and goodwill amortization and other........................... 22.9 -- (0.6)(a) 110.5 7.2 (b) 81.0 (c) Restructuring costs.................. -- 16.0 21.2 (a) 37.2 -------- -------- ------- -------- OPERATING INCOME................. 375.8 167.2 (117.4) 425.6 Net non-operating expenses (income).. 41.5 (21.3) 134.4 (a) 69.2 1.4 (a) (7.2)(b) (81.0)(c) 1.4 (e) -------- -------- ------- -------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES....... 334.3 188.5 (166.4) 356.4 Income taxes......................... 132.4 77.7 (67.7)(a) 142.4 -------- -------- ------- -------- NET INCOME....................... $ 201.9 $ 110.8 $ (98.7) $ 214.0 ======== ======== ======= ======== Earnings per share: Basic.............................. $ 1.25 $ 0.74 $ 0.76 Diluted............................ 1.24 0.74 0.76 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic.............................. 162.1 149.9 (31.7)(f) 280.3 Diluted............................ 162.8 150.0 (31.8)(f) 281.0
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. 7 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
PRO NEWELL RUBBERMAID ADJUSTMENT FORMA -------- ---------- ---------- -------- Net sales............................ $3,336.2 $2,399.7 $(94.5)(d) $5,641.4 Cost of products sold................ 2,259.5 1,748.4 9.0 (a) 4,016.9 -------- -------- ------ -------- GROSS INCOME..................... 1,076.7 651.3 (103.5) 1,624.5 Selling, general and administrative expenses............................ 497.7 416.7 1.0 (a) 819.0 (94.5)(d) (1.9)(e) Trade names and goodwill amortization and other........................... 31.9 -- (1.1)(a) 120.9 9.1 (b) 81.0 (c) Restructuring costs.................. -- 16.0 21.2 (a) 37.2 -------- -------- ------ -------- OPERATING INCOME................. 547.1 218.6 (118.3) 647.4 Net non-operating expenses (income).. 61.8 (15.3) 134.4 (a) 94.1 1.4 (a) (9.1)(b) (81.0)(c) 1.9 (e) -------- -------- ------ -------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES....... 485.3 233.9 (165.9) 553.3 Income taxes......................... 192.2 91.4 (67.5)(a) 216.1 -------- -------- ------ -------- NET INCOME....................... $ 293.1 $ 142.5 $(98.4) $ 337.2 ======== ======== ====== ======== Earnings per share: Basic.............................. $ 1.81 $ 0.95 $ 1.20 Diluted............................ 1.80 0.95 1.20 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic.............................. 162.2 149.9 (31.7)(f) 280.4 Diluted............................ 163.3 149.9 (31.7)(f) 281.5
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. 8 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
PRO NEWELL RUBBERMAID ADJUSTMENT FORMA -------- ---------- ---------- -------- Net sales............................ $2,972.8 $2,355.0 $(93.9)(d) $5,233.9 Cost of products sold................ 2,020.1 1,649.5 -- 3,669.6 -------- -------- ------ -------- GROSS INCOME..................... 952.7 705.5 (93.9) 1,564.3 Selling, general and administrative expenses............................ 461.8 432.1 (93.9)(d) 800.2 0.2 (e) Trade names and goodwill amortization and other........................... 23.6 -- 6.9 (b) 30.5 -------- -------- ------ -------- OPERATING INCOME................. 467.3 273.4 (7.1) 733.6 Net non-operating expenses (income).. 39.0 28.4 (6.9)(b) 60.3 (0.2)(e) -------- -------- ------ -------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES....... 428.3 245.0 -- 673.3 Income taxes......................... 169.3 92.6 -- 261.9 -------- -------- ------ -------- NET INCOME....................... $ 259.0 $ 152.4 $ -- $ 411.4 ======== ======== ====== ======== Earnings per share: Basic.............................. $ 1.60 $ 1.01 $ 1.46 Diluted............................ 1.60 1.01 1.46 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic.............................. 161.9 151.0 (32.0)(f) 280.9 Diluted............................ 162.3 151.0 (32.0)(f) 281.3
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. 9 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
PRO NEWELL RUBBERMAID ADJUSTMENT FORMA -------- ---------- ---------- -------- Net sales............................ $2,580.3 $2,344.2 $(86.5)(d) $4,838.0 Cost of products sold................ 1,759.9 1,673.2 -- 3,433.1 -------- -------- ------ -------- GROSS INCOME..................... 820.4 671.0 (86.5) 1,404.9 Selling, general and administrative expenses............................ 392.9 402.6 (86.5)(d) 708.9 (0.1)(e) Trade names and goodwill amortization and other........................... 19.3 -- 4.7 (b) 24.0 Restructuring costs.................. -- 158.0 -- 158.0 -------- -------- ------ -------- OPERATING INCOME................. 408.2 110.4 (4.6) 514.0 Net non-operating expenses (income).. 31.0 14.7 (4.7)(b) 41.1 0.1 (e) -------- -------- ------ -------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES....... 377.2 95.7 -- 472.9 Income taxes......................... 150.7 35.9 -- 186.6 -------- -------- ------ -------- NET INCOME....................... $ 226.5 $ 59.8 $ -- $ 286.3 ======== ======== ====== ======== Earnings per share: Basic.............................. $ 1.40 $ 0.38 $ 1.00 Diluted............................ 1.40 0.38 1.00 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic.............................. 161.3 158.8 (33.6)(f) 286.5 Diluted............................ 161.6 158.8 (33.6)(f) 286.8
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. 10 NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (IN MILLIONS) NOTE 1--BASIS OF PRESENTATION The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet combines the historical consolidated balance sheet of Newell at September 30, 1998 with the historical consolidated balance sheet of Rubbermaid at October 2, 1998. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income combine the historical consolidated statements of income of Newell for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the three years ended December 31, 1997 with the historical consolidated statements of income of Rubbermaid for the nine months ended October 2, 1998 and September 30, 1997, and the three years ended December 31, 1997. Certain amounts reflected in the historical financial statement presentations of both companies have been reclassified to conform to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined presentation. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements exclude (a) the effect of any operating income improvements which may be achieved upon combining the resources of the companies, (b) investment banking, legal and miscellaneous transaction costs of the Merger, and (c) costs associated with the integration and consolidation of the companies which are not presently estimable. NOTE 2--PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS (a) Newell acquired Rubbermaid's office products division ("Eldon") on June 13, 1997, in a transaction accounted for as a purchase. Because the Merger will be accounted for as a pooling of interests, the accounting effects of Newell's purchase of Eldon must be reversed. Therefore, Eldon will be treated as if it had always been owned by the combined company. The adjustments are comprised of the following: (1) Elimination of Rubbermaid's gain on the sale of Eldon. The adjustment eliminates the $134.4 million pre tax gain. (2) Elimination of all purchase accounting adjustments associated with recording the purchase price allocation. These adjustments include $31.2 million of reserves for business realignment plans (product line and customer rationalizations) and business restructuring (closure costs for the Maryville, Tennessee office location, employee severance and related benefits), $9.6 million of fair value adjustments to record assets and liabilities at their fair value on the acquisition date, and $1.4 million of transaction costs capitalized as part of the purchase price. The assets and liabilities recognized as purchase accounting adjustments (excluding the $9.6 million of fair value adjustments) are retroactively recognized as charges to the income statement. (3) Elimination of Eldon goodwill amortization recorded in Newell's statement of income. Goodwill amortization eliminated was $1.7 million, $0.6 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the year ended December 31, 1997, respectively. (4) Income tax expense related to the above adjustments total $0.7 million, $(67.7) million and $(67.5) million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the year ended December 31, 1997, respectively. (b) Adjusted to reclassify Rubbermaid goodwill amortization from "Net Non- operating Expenses" to "Trade Names and Goodwill Amortization and Other" to conform with Newell's accounting presentation. Goodwill amortization reclassified was $6.7 million, $7.2 million, $9.1 million, $6.9 million and $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. 11 (c) Adjusted to reclassify $81.0 million of asset impairment charges recorded by Rubbermaid from "Net Non-operating Expenses" to "Trade Names and Goodwill Amortization and Other" to conform with Newell's accounting presentation. (d) Adjusted to reclassify Rubbermaid customer cooperative advertising from "Selling, General and Administrative Expenses" to "Net Sales" to conform with Newell's accounting presentation. Selling expense reclassified was $71.3 million, $69.1 million, $94.5 million, $93.9 million and $86.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. (e) Adjusted to reclassify Rubbermaid royalty income and expense from "Net Non-operating Expenses" to "Selling, General and Administrative Expenses" to conform with Newell's accounting presentation. Royalty income (expense) reclassified was $3.3 million, $1.4 million, $1.9 million, $(0.2) million and $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. (f) The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the pro forma financial statements uses the applicable weighted average number of outstanding common shares of Newell and Rubbermaid adjusted to equivalent shares of Newell common stock using an exchange ratio of 0.7883. NOTE 3--FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements assume that the Merger qualifies as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. 12 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. NEWELL CO. (Registrant) /s/ Dale L. Matschullat Date: November 20, 1998 By: ------------------------------------- Dale L. Matschullat Vice President -- General Counsel EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description - ------- -------------- 23.1 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
EX-23.1 2 CONSENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP Exhibit 23.1 ------------ CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Board of Directors Rubbermaid Incorporated: We consent to the incorporation by reference in Newell Co.'s Form S-3 Registration Statement File Nos. 333-53039, 333-47261 and 33-64225, of our report dated January 30, 1998, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Rubbermaid Incorporated and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, cash flows and shareholders' equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997, which report is incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K of Newell Co. dated November 20, 1998. /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Cleveland, Ohio November 20, 1998 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----