Rayovac Washington Plant Boosted By Multi-Million Pound Investment

Washington based global hearing aid battery manufacturer, Rayovac, is spearheading major growth plans thanks to a year-on-year multi-million pound investment programme.

The company, located at Wearside’s Stephenson Industrial Estate has invested heavily into its people, products and plant to meet the growing demand for hearing aid batteries around the world.

Among the investments is a new state-of-the-art packaging line to support the roll-out of its new premium packaging, as well as plans for expansion at the site to further grow its manufacturing capacity.

Rayovac has a long history of innovation, technology and skills and its continued investment into the North East is supporting the creation of new jobs in the region, with the company now employing more than 300 people out of its Washington plant.

It exports hundreds of millions of batteries out of Washington across the globe, with the aim of ensuring that a person’s hearing impairment doesn’t get in the way of their everyday life.

The company has strengthened its highly skilled workforce with additions to both manufacturing and support staff.

Among the new appointments is Washington plant manager, Julie Heads, who brings a wealth of experience to the role having held senior positions with leading North East manufacturing firms.

She said: “I’m delighted to join the Rayovac team at such an exciting time. The growth of the business has meant that investment in the technology and people at the plant has continued. It’s really important that our plant sites remain fit for purpose and we are looking forward to further exciting developments including the expansion of our Washington plant and the addition of new machinery.

The latest investments follow a successful year of growth for Rayovac, including the European launch of its new Active Core Technology, which offers consumers high-quality performance throughout the life of the battery – its longest lasting battery yet*.

Global General Manager and Vice President for Micropower, Glen Rutherford, said: “It’s a really exciting time for Rayovac and we’re thrilled to be investing in our North East base here at Washington.
“Amid the ever-changing manufacturing sector, we are continuing to grow with the market and our latest investments demonstrate a clear roadmap for the future and a vision to further develop and leverage our technology.

“Everyone who works at Rayovac is passionate about the business and our continued success is testament to our highly flexible, adaptable and skilled workforce. We will continue to research and invest in solutions that improve the lives of both our customers and consumers and we’re looking forward to an exciting and successful future ahead.”

The company is also set to unveil its next generation packaging at this year’s EUHA exhibition, the 63rd International Congress of Hearing Aid Acousticians in Hannover, Germany, this October.

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*Based on ANSI/IEC performance tests for sizes 10, 13 and 312 (except size 675).

"I’m delighted to join the Rayovac team at such an exciting time. The growth of the business has meant that investment in the technology and people at the plant has continued."