| 1969: |
Spectrum Brands is founded. |
| 1973: |
Spectrum Brands forms Chemsico through the acquisition of the assets of Spray Chem, a contract manufacturer of liquid and aerosol insecticides and herbicides. |
| 1985: |
Spectrum Brands first enters into the manufacturing and distribution of branded products through the acquisition of Real-Kill®. |
| 1988: |
The core businesses of the Company's branded products are formed through the acquisition of various assets of Chesebrough-Ponds, a division of Unilever U.S.A. The assets include the Spectracide®, Hot Shot®, Rid-a-Bug®, and No-Pest® brands. |
| 1994: |
Spectrum Brands acquires various assets, including an exclusive license of the Cutter® brand from Miles, Inc. Cutter is a leading brand of personal and area insect repellents. |
| 1994: |
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse presents Spectrum Brands with the "Golden World Award." |
| 1995: |
Spectrum Brands purchases two product lines from an affiliate of the Alljack Company and Celex Corporation, including an exclusive license from the Scotts Co. to use the Peters® and Peters Professional® brands of water-soluble plant food, as well as the manufacturing portion of Kmart's opening price point brands, KRid® and KGro®, and the brands Shootout® and Gro Best®, also sold exclusively at Kmart. |
| 1995: |
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse names Spectrum Brands "Supplier of the Year" in appreciation for outstanding service in the Lawn & Garden category. |
| 1997: |
Real-Kill® is introduced as the opening price point brand at The Home Depot. |
| 1997: |
The Home Depot names Spectrum Brands the "Partner of the Year" in appreciation for outstanding service in the Lawn & Garden category. |
| 1998: |
Spectrum introduces Spectracide Terminate® , the first do-it-yourself termite-killing product of its kind. This is just one example of Spectrum Brands' ability to identify a consumer need and fulfill it. |
| 1999: |
Spectrum Brands hires Bob Caulk as President and Chief Executive Officer. Caulk quickly assembles the most experienced and talented executive team in the company's 32-year history to help take the company to the next level. |
| 2000: |
The Home Depot names Spectrum Brands the "Partner of the Year" in appreciation for outstanding service in the Lawn & Garden category. |
| 2001: |
Bob Caulk is elected Chairman of the Board of United Industries, parent company of Spectrum Brands. |
| 2001: |
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse names Spectrum Brands "Supplier of the Year" in appreciation for outstanding service in the Lawn & Garden category. |
| 2001: |
Do It Best Corporation, one of the largest member-owned lawn and garden distribution cooperatives, names Spectrum Brands "Lawn & Garden Vendor of the Year." |
| 2001: |
Schultz receives the "Supplier Performance Award by Retail Category (SPARC)" for its dedication to providing the nation's top 100 retailers with outstanding service. Recipients are chosen by the industry's buyers and merchandise managers and presented by DSN Retailing Today magazine. |
| 2002: |
Gary M. Rodkin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Beverages and Foods, a division of PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE: PEP) is elected to the United Industries Board of Directors. United is the parent company of Spectrum Brands. |
| 2002: |
John W. Froman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Circuit City Stores, Inc. is elected to the United Industries Board of Directors. United is the parent company of Spectrum Brands. |
| 2002: |
Do It Best Corporation, one of the largest member-owned lawn and garden distribution cooperatives, names Spectrum Brands "Lawn & Garden Vendor of the Year" and "Product & Services Vendor of the Year" for the second year in a row. |
| 2002: |
Distribution America, one of the largest organizations of independently owned and operated lawn and garden vendors, names Spectrum Brands "Vendor of the Year" in appreciation for outstanding service. |
| 2002: |
ACE Hardware Corporation, one of the nation's leading retailer- owned hardware, home center, lumber and building materials cooperatives, names Spectrum Brands "ACE Vendor of the Year" in appreciation for outstanding service in the Lawn & Garden category. |
| 2002: |
Spectrum Brands acquires the Sta-Green®, Vigoro®, and Bandini® brands of fertilizer from Pursell Industries, Inc. The purchase helps Spectrum gain a strong number-two position in the consumer lawn and garden fertilizer market in the United States. The additional acquisition of two fertilizer manufacturing facilities strengthens the company's supply chain by reducing its reliance on external sourcing. |
| 2002: |
Spectrum merges with the Schultz Company, adding a wide variety of high-quality plant care products to its already successful brand portfolio. In addition to the SchultzT brand of plant foods and potting soils, Spectrum acquired a new line of natural plant products under the Garden Safe® brand from Schultz. The acquisition strengthens Spectrum's retail presence and expands its product portfolio specifically in consumer soils, garden fertilizers, and the emerging naturals and outdoor living segments. |
| 2002: |
Spectrum acquires Repel® brand insect repellents from WPC Brands. The acquisition significantly strengthens Spectrum's position as the number-two insect repellent manufacturer and marketer in the industry. With Cutter and Repel, Spectrum now offers an optimal mix of insect control solutions for consumers and retailers. |
| 2002: |
Spectrum Brands establishes dedicated customer-focused cross-functional teams, each led by a senior-level general manager. The new Platform Teams, located in the hometowns of several of Spectrum's largest customers, redefine customer service in the industry. |
| 2002: |
For the second year in a row, SchultzT receives the "Supplier Performance Award by Retail Category (SPARC)" for its dedication to providing the nation's top 100 retailers with outstanding service. Recipients are chosen by the industry's buyers and merchandise managers and presented by DSN Retailing Today magazine. |
| 2003: |
Spectrum Brands moves into a new 80,000 square-foot corporate headquarters building in St. Louis, MO that is the embodiment of the NEW Spectrum Brands. The move brings all the brands and expertise under one roof for greater efficiency. The new building contains office, merchandising and laboratory space, and includes several employee amenities like a full service kitchen and dining facility and an on-site fitness center. |
| 2004: |
Spectrum Brands partners with The Home Depot and Joe Gibbs Racing® to sponsor the #18 Vigoro/Home Depot Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch racing series. |
| 2004: |
Spectrum Brands acquires the Nu-Gro Corporation. Nu-Gro's brand names include CIL®, Wilson®, Vigoro®, Pickseed®, So-Green®, Plant-Prod®, Greenleaf® and Green Earth®. This acquisition will broaden Spectrum's geographic reach dramatically across North America while providing access to the professional lawn and garden care market in the region. |