Member Article

Rayovac’s royal seal of approval

A North East manufacturer has been given the royal seal of approval for its new mercury-free hearing aid battery.

Washington-based Rayovac, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The firm picked up the innovation 2011 award for its commitment to product development.

The hearing aid battery took several years to develop at a cost of £3m.

It is the most powerful on the market and unlike traditional hearing aid batteries contains no mercury so is better for the environment.

Plant manager, Glen Rutherford, said: “This is great news for Rayovac. The Queen’s Award is one of the highest accolades around and a real reward for the efforts of the team.

“They are first class and continue to help us fly the flag for North East manufacturing worldwide.

“We are are delighted to win the award.”

Based on Stephenson Industrial Estate, Rayovac employs 160 people and is the UK’s only manufacturer of hearing aid batteries.

It produces hundreds of millions each year, exporting to over 70 countries throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Vince Armitage, divisional vice president Rayovac Europe, said: “The hearing aid battery market is a specialist sector but is growing steadily due to a host of factors such as ageing populations, binaural use of hearing aids, new technology and emerging markets in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

“Batteries are a critical part of any hearing aid as they provide the power the wearer needs to hear. There are more than two million hearing aid wearers in the UK alone.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .