Newell Rubbermaid’s plan to move its headquarters to smaller digs in Sandy Springs could become complicated if the maker of Sharpie markers and other products merges with a similar company that includes the Crock-Pot, Coleman and Mr. Coffee brands.
Reports Tuesday said Newell is in talks to merge with Jarden Corp., a Boca Raton, Fla., company with 120 brands under its umbrella, also including Grill Master and Sunbeam.
The combined companies, with market capitalization of $11.97 billion and $10.65 billion respectively, would make a mega-consumer products giant that would double in size and potentially employ thousands wherever it calls home.
Neither company wanted to comment on the reports of talks, first published by the Wall Street Journal, which cited unnamed sources and said the talks might not lead to a deal.
“We don’t comment on rumors and speculation,” Newell spokeswoman Nicole Quinlan said in an email.
Newell, whose brand portfolio includes Rubbermaid, Calphalon pots, Graco baby products and Irwin tools, plans early next year to move its headquarters to a Peachtree Dunwoody Road building that is half the size of its current home, also in Sandy Springs.
The downsizing plan hasn’t dampened the company’s enthusiasm for growth. In October, Newell announced plans to buy Elmer’s and Krazy glue from investment firm Berwind Corp. for about $600 million. A year ago, the company bought stroller maker Baby Jogger for $210 million.
Jarden, formed in 2001, also has been an agressive in brand acquisition. The company in October reached a deal to buy high school ring maker Jostens for $1.5 billion and in July agreed to buy plastic cup, plate and utencil maker Waddington Group for $1.35 billion.
