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Newell Rubbermaid Names Mr. Joseph Galli, Jr. Chief Executive Officer
Former Black & Decker Executive Brings Extensive Consumer Products and Internet Experience
FREEPORT, Ill., Jan 8, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE, CHX: NWL chart, msgs) today announced the appointment of Joseph Galli as President and Chief Executive Officer succeeding William P. Sovey. Mr. Galli will also serve as a member of the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Sovey will reassume his position as Chairman of the Board. Daniel C. Ferguson will remain a Director of the Company.
As President and CEO of Newell Rubbermaid, Galli will oversee worldwide operations for the projected $7 billion consumer products industry leader. In addition, he will be responsible for increasing organic growth through new product development and brand management initiatives. He will also lead global expansion efforts in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
"We were looking for an experienced executive capable of growing a large multinational company who also had considerable experience in the consumer products industry and would be an excellent fit in the Newell Rubbermaid organization," said Chairman William P. Sovey. "We believe that Joe brings this blend of talent and experience and that under his leadership the Company will return to consistent high levels of financial performance."
In the Company's internal communication to its 48,000 employees worldwide, Sovey reiterated that Galli's extensive industry experience and brand expertise will be a catalyst for growth using the Company's global platform.
Mr. Galli, age 42, a highly accomplished executive renowned for his ability to manage product development and brands as well as drive international expansion, brings an impressive breadth of both Fortune 1000 and "Internet economy" leadership experience to Newell Rubbermaid. As President and CEO of VerticalNet, Inc., a leading e-commerce business enabler, Galli was responsible for creating the growth strategy that placed the Company on track to reach its profitability goals.
Prior to joining VerticalNet, Galli was Chief Operating Officer at Amazon.com, reporting to Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos. During his tenure at Amazon.com, Galli recruited an outstanding management team, developed a global business strategy and put the Company on a path to operational excellence.
Previous to Amazon.com, Galli had a highly successful 19-year career with Black & Decker. Galli moved up through the sales and marketing system at Black & Decker and became President of Black & Decker North America Power Tools Group at age 35. In 1995, he became President of Black & Decker Worldwide Power Tools Business. Galli is credited with developing and launching the DeWalt brand of industrial power tools. Additionally, Galli is credited with re-engineering Black & Decker's European, Asian and Latin American operations. At Black & Decker, Galli was recognized as a motivational leader who built a highly energized sales and marketing machine renowned throughout the industry.
"I have long admired Newell Rubbermaid as an outstanding company," said Galli. "The opportunity to further expand Newell Rubbermaid's international growth and leading market position is very exciting for me. Newell Rubbermaid is in an excellent position to deliver compelling new products, serve high potential international markets and further build outstanding shareholder value in the coming years. And, I especially look forward to returning to my roots in the consumer products industry."
Based in Freeport, Illinois, Newell Rubbermaid Inc. is a multi-national manufacturer and marketer of high-volume, long life cycle, branded, consumer products sold to volume purchasers for everyday use in the home or office, with 1999 sales of $6.4 billion. Newell Rubbermaid products are sold through a variety of retail and wholesale distribution channels in the following business segments: Storage, Organization & Cleaning, including Rubbermaid(R) and Curver(R) home products, Goody(R) hair accessories and Rubbermaid Commercial Products(TM); Food Preparation, Cooking & Serving, including Mirro(R) and Calphalon(R) cookware, Anchor Hocking(R) and Pyrex(R) (Europe) glassware; Infant/Juvenile Care & Play, including Little Tikes(R), Graco(R) and Century(R); Home Decor, including Levolor(R), Kirsch(R), Newell(R) and Gardinia(R) Window Furnishings and Intercraft(R), Burnes(R), Panodia(R), Albadecor(R), and Holson(R) picture frames and photo albums; Hardware & Tools, including Amerock(R), EZ Paintr(R), BernzOmatic(R), and Lee Rowan(R); and Office Products, including Sanford(R), Berol(R), Sharpie(R), Rotring(R), Reynolds(R), Paper Mate(R), Parker(R), and Waterman(R) markers and writing instruments, Rolodex(R) and Eldon(R) office storage and organization products and Liquid Paper(R) correction fluids.
This press release is also available on our web site at www.newellco.com .
Source: Newell Rubbermaid Inc.
Contact:
Ross A Porter, Jr., Vice President - Investor Relations,
815-381-8150, or Victoria C. Gilbert, Manager - Media Relations, 815-381-8151,
both of Newell Rubbermaid
/Company News On-Call: prnewswire.com or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 765613
URL: newellco.com |
