Edgewell vs Energizer: Founders, CEOs and History
Edgewell was founded in 2015 by Energizer Holdings and is led by Rod Little. Energizer was founded in 1886 by Washington H. Lawrence and is led by Mark LaVigne.
Company facts
Founders
Edgewell
Energizer Holdings
Energizer Holdings is the St. Louis-based battery and consumer products company that created Edgewell. It bought Schick-Wilkinson Sword from Pfizer in 2003 and Playtex Products in 2007, building a personal care division alongside its battery business.
Energizer
Washington H. Lawrence
Lawrence led the National Carbon Company, the corporate ancestor of Energizer's battery business.
CEOs and their tenures
Edgewell
- Francesca Weissman
Chief Financial Officer
Presents Edgewell's quarterly results and investor outlook alongside the CEO.
Source - David Hatfield2015–2019
Former President and CEO
Established Edgewell as a standalone public company.
Source - Rod Little2019–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Little has narrowed Edgewell into a shave, sun and skin care, and grooming company and framed fiscal 2026 as a back-half recovery, with organic growth returning in Q3.
Source
Energizer
- Alan R. Hoskins2015–2020
Former Chief Executive Officer
Turned Energizer from a battery and lighting company into a two-segment battery and auto-care business.
Source - Mark S. LaVigne2021–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Under LaVigne, FY2025 net earnings rose to $239.0 million and adjusted EPS to $3.52 while sales held near $3 billion.
Source
Timeline: Edgewell and Energizer side by side
1886Energizer
National Carbon Company Founded
Washington H. Lawrence organizes the National Carbon Company in Cleveland, the predecessor of Energizer's battery business.
1896Energizer
Columbia Dry Cell Launched
National Carbon sells the Columbia dry cell, one of the first batteries designed for consumers.
1980Energizer
Energizer Brand Introduced
The Energizer battery brand launches under Union Carbide's Eveready business.
2015Edgewell
Spin-off from Energizer
Edgewell becomes an independent NYSE-listed company on July 1, 2015.
2015Energizer
Edgewell Separation
On July 1, 2015, personal care brands move to Edgewell Personal Care and Energizer Holdings becomes a stand-alone battery and lighting company (NYSE: ENR).
2016Edgewell
Bulldog Acquisition
Edgewell buys UK men's skincare brand Bulldog.
2018Edgewell
Jack Black Acquisition
Edgewell adds premium men's grooming brand Jack Black.
2019Edgewell
Cremo Acquisition
Edgewell acquires Cremo for about $235 million.
2019Energizer
Spectrum Brands Battery and Auto Care Deals Close
In January 2019 Energizer acquires Spectrum Brands' battery business (Rayovac, Varta) for about $2.0 billion and its auto-care business (Armor All, STP, A/C Pro) for about $1.25 billion.
2020Edgewell
Harry's Deal Terminated
The $1.37 billion Harry's merger is abandoned after an FTC lawsuit.
2021Edgewell
Billie Acquisition
Edgewell buys women's shave brand Billie for about $310 million.
2021Energizer
Mark LaVigne Becomes CEO
Mark S. LaVigne becomes Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2021, succeeding Alan Hoskins.
2025Edgewell
Fiscal 2025 Results and Essity Deal
Edgewell reports $2.22B net sales and agrees in November to sell Feminine Care to Essity.
2025Energizer
APS Acquisition and $2.95B Sales
Energizer buys Advanced Power Solutions from VARTA AG on May 2, 2025 and reports FY2025 net sales of $2.9527 billion with $239.0 million of net earnings.
2026Edgewell
Feminine Care Sale Closes
The $340 million sale of Playtex, Stayfree, Carefree and o.b. to Essity closes on February 2, 2026.
2026Energizer
Q3 FY2026 Sales of $734.1M
Q3 FY2026 net sales rise 1.2% to $734.1 million; full-year adjusted EPS guidance moves to the low end of $3.30 to $3.60.
Acquisitions
Edgewell
- Billie Inc.2021$310M
- Harry's (terminated)2019$1.4B
- Cremo Masstige Grooming2019$235M
- Jack Black Premium Men's Grooming2018$90M
- Bulldog Skincare for Men2016Undisclosed
- Stayfree, Carefree and o.b. from Johnson & Johnson2013$185M
Energizer
- Advanced Power Solutions (VARTA AG consumer batteries)2025Undisclosed
- Spectrum Brands Global Battery and Lighting Business2019$2B
- Spectrum Brands Global Auto Care Business2019$1.3B
- HandStands Holding Corporation2016$340M
Questions about Edgewell vs Energizer
Who is the CEO of Edgewell Personal Care Company and Energizer Holdings, Inc.?
Edgewell Personal Care Company is led by Rod Little and Energizer Holdings, Inc. is led by Mark LaVigne. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Edgewell Personal Care Company founded vs Energizer Holdings, Inc.?
Energizer Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1886 — 129 years before Edgewell Personal Care Company, which was founded in 2015. Energizer Holdings, Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Edgewell Personal Care Company.
How many employees does Edgewell Personal Care Company have compared to Energizer Holdings, Inc.?
Edgewell Personal Care Company employs approximately 6,800 people, while Energizer Holdings, Inc. employs approximately 6,050. Edgewell Personal Care Company has the larger workforce at 6,800 employees, compared to Energizer Holdings, Inc.'s 6,050. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Edgewell Personal Care Company and Energizer Holdings, Inc. headquartered?
Both Edgewell Personal Care Company and Energizer Holdings, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Edgewell Personal Care Company and Energizer Holdings, Inc.?
Edgewell Personal Care Company was founded by Energizer Holdings. Energizer Holdings, Inc. was founded by Washington H. Lawrence.
Which company has a longer operating history — Edgewell Personal Care Company or Energizer Holdings, Inc.?
Energizer Holdings, Inc. has been operating for approximately 140 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Edgewell Personal Care Company has been in operation for around 11 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Edgewell vs Energizer overview