Newell Company began in 1902 and pursued a strategy of growth through acquisition over the decades. It made many acquisitions in various product categories including cookware and storage products. In the 1990s, Newell faced challenges as mass retailers gained leverage, and it acquired Calphalon and Rubbermaid to expand its product portfolio and achieve a market capitalization target of $10 billion. The acquisition of Calphalon provided access to new markets but risks included discarding existing processes, while Rubbermaid would aid goals like cost efficiency if successfully integrated through Newell's standardization process.