Rayovac Will Shutter Plant, Lay Off 240

Rayovac Corp., the No. 3 battery maker in the United States, said it will cut about 280 domestic jobs, or about 8% of its global work force, as part of an $18-million restructuring plan. The company will lay off about 240 employees when it closes its Wonewoc, Wis.-based lantern battery plant, which Rayovac said it expects to complete by August 2001. An additional 40 employees will be laid off at another Wisconsin plant, with the company planning to farm out certain functions and reconfigure plant space to accommodate the installation of a new high-speed AA-size alkaline battery line. Rayovac shares closed up 25 cents at $17.63 on the NYSE.