ATLANTA–Net income for Newell Rubbermaid reached $548.8 million last year, up nearly 6 percent from 2006.
Net sales for the consumer-products giant rose 3.3 percent to $6.4 billion, while operating income jumped 14.3 percent to $826.3 million. According to a Newell Rubbermaid statement, the company’s results benefited from productivity initiatives, savings from project accelerations and a favorable sales mix. Mark Ketchum, the company’s president and chief executive officer, also cited the successful execution of “numerous restructuring projects” and investments geared toward making Newell Rubbermaid “a more consumer-centric and global branded marketing organization.”
For 2008, Newell Rubbermaid said it expects sales growth of from 2 percent to 3 percent, reflecting the U.S. economy’s predicted weakness during the year.