Energizer Holdings to split household products, personal care brands into 2 companies

ST. LOUIS – Energizer Holdings will split into two separate and publicly traded companies, one selling batteries and other household items, the other selling personal care brands such as Edge shaving gel.

The St. Louis company said Wednesday that the split will give each company a clearer focus.

Shares of both companies will be distributed to existing Energizer shareholders.

The household company will sell Energizer and Eveready batteries. It accounted for $1.9 billion in revenue in the year that ended March 31.

The personal care company’s other brands will include Playtex and Stayfree feminine-care products and Hawaiian Tropic suntan lotion. It had $2.6 billion in revenue in the same period.

Energizer expects the split to take place in the second half of fiscal 2015, which ends in September 2015.