World’s largest consumer battery manufacturer brings executive office, while iconic sports brand brings global headquarters

DURACELL

Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently announced that Duracell is establishing its executive offices at 181 West Madison St. in Chicago’s Loop. Duracell is the largest consumer battery manufacturer in the world and has grown to be the leader in the single-use battery market in North America. The move will bring the company’s CEO and more than 60 new positions to Chicago.

“With this move Duracell is making their future part of Chicago’s future,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Duracell’s commitment to Chicago speaks volumes about their confidence in Chicago. As a company that relies on innovative research and development, I am confident Duracell will continue to grow and thrive in a city that is leading the way on 21st-century innovation.”

“Duracell is in an exciting period in our company’s history,” Angelo Pantaleo, CEO of Duracell said. “As we look ahead, we will continue to build on our rich past and strong foundation to transform the world’s number-one battery maker into the world’s number-one personal power company. We are pleased to lead that effort from the great city of Chicago, where the city’s business ecosystem, talent, quality of life and far-reaching global connections are first class.”

“Illinois has the hardest working people and best location in the country,” Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner said. “It’s wonderful to welcome Duracell to the Land of Lincoln. I look forward to many years of its continued success in Illinois.”

On March 1, 2016, Duracell completed its transformation to an independent company under Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The company has 2,700 employees globally with manufacturing operations in: Cleveland, Tenn.; LaGrange, Ga.; Lancaster, S.C.; Aarschot, Belgium; and Dongguan, China; and other regional management offices in Geneva, Switzerland; Singapore; West Palm Beach, Fla.; and Bethel, Conn.

WILSON SPORTING GOODS

Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the company will relocate its global headquarters to downtown Chicago in late 2017. The move will bring approximately 400 Wilson team members to the company’s new location in the Prudential Plaza (130 East Randolph Street). Wilson, a leading global manufacturer of high performance sports equipment, apparel and accessories, has been a Chicago-based company for its entire 102-year history, and is currently located near O’Hare International Airport.

“Wilson Sporting Goods represents a great chapter in Chicago’s history, and today they are doubling down on our city and our shared future,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Chicago offers the unparalleled workforce, world-class transportation systems and access to the global economy Wilson needs to continue to grow and thrive for another 100 years.”

“This move downtown is strategically important for us as we cultivate our people, brand and business for the next century,” Mike Dowse, President of Wilson said. “For our team members, this relocation supports their professional growth by providing them with an exciting new work environment and greater access to all the creative inspiration, energy and resources of a vibrant downtown community. For our brand and business, it heightens the visibility of Wilson in the heart of the best sports city in the world, and the only city we have ever called home.”

Approximately 400 team members from the company’s commercial, marketing, product management, and business services units and from the Amer Sports America group will make the move. Amer Sports Americas leads sales efforts for all brands owned by Amer Sports, including Wilson, DeMarini, Louisville Slugger, Salomon, Arc’Teryx, Atomic, Suunto, Mavic and ENVE Composites, across the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

Since its founding, Wilson has called several locations in the greater Chicago-area home – from its original location on N. Sangamon Street in 1914 to Campbell Street in the 1920s, to River Grove in the 1950s, to its current location northwest of the city near O’Hare International Airport in 1992.