Spectrum Brands sells battery and lighting business to Energizer for $2 billion

Middleton-based Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc. has completed the sale of its Global Battery and Lighting business, which includes Rayovac batteries, to St. Louis-based Energizer Holdings Inc. for $2 billion in cash. The pending deal was announced almost a year ago, and the companies have been gaining regulatory approvals ever since. The Global Battery and Lighting business also includes the Varta brand. It makes alkaline, carbon zinc, hearing aid and nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries, battery chargers, and portable lighting products.