ATLANTA, Oct 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Newell Rubbermaid Inc. announces it has signed an agreement with developers Greenstone Properties, in partnership with Pope & Land and Granite Properties, to construct a 350,000 sq. foot, 14-story Atlanta headquarters at Two Glenlake in the Perimeter Center area. The groundbreaking is scheduled to occur prior to January 2007, with a Fall 2008 targeted move in date.
"Consistent with our company's vision of building brands and fostering collaboration and teamwork, the time was right to construct a true corporate headquarters," states Mark Ketchum, president and CEO, Newell Rubbermaid. "Ultimately, having one central Atlanta location will help enhance our culture and attract, develop and retain the top notch talent needed in today's competitive business environment."
Building architects, Pickard Chilton and Wakefield Beasley, designed a curvilinear glass structure which will be situated in a park-like setting, featuring a two-acre pond. Employees from the three current Atlanta sites will join together in the new headquarters which will include a 1,200 car parking deck, training center, cafeteria, communications center and other worker-friendly amenities.
"The addition of up to 350 positions and construction of an Atlanta headquarters means Newell Rubbermaid is firmly planting its feet in the red Georgia clay," Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue said. "This Fortune 500 company being headquartered in our state is proof positive that Georgia's business climate is thriving and attracting the attention of corporate CEOs across the world."
Newell Rubbermaid worked closely with The Georgia Department of Economic Development, The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Fulton County and the City of Sandy Springs to finalize all necessary government permits and logistics.
"The Newell Rubbermaid expansion represents the realization of a bold and visionary plan originally outlined several years ago when they selected metro Atlanta as the location for their corporate headquarters," said Hans Gant, senior vice present of economic development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. "Their decision to expand reinforces the fact that Atlanta continues to be an attractive location for Fortune 500 headquarters. This is a great opportunity for metro Atlanta because of the large number of high quality jobs it will add to the community."
Newell Rubbermaid moved its corporate headquarters to Atlanta in February 2003 and has tripled the number of employees in the Atlanta market over the past three years. The company has the option to expand further and construct a second building on the site.
About the Company
Newell Rubbermaid Inc. is a global marketer of consumer and commercial products with sales of approximately $6 billion and a strong portfolio of brands, including Sharpie(R), Paper Mate(R), DYMO(R), EXPO(R), Waterman(R), Parker(R), Rolodex(R), IRWIN(R), LENOX(R), BernzOmatic(R), Rubbermaid(R), Graco(R), Calphalon(R) and Goody(R). The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and has approximately 28,000 employees worldwide.
This press release and additional information about the company are available on the company's Web site www.newellrubbermaid.com. (NWL-CO)
SOURCE Newell Rubbermaid Inc.