WOOSTER, Ohio -- Rubbermaid here said it expects first-quarter sales and earnings growth to be in the "low single-digit range" due to brutal weather conditions earlier this year.
irman and chief executive officer. The company's first-quarter financial results are scheduled to be released on April 14.
Schmitt said some of Rubbermaid's factories were either closed or operated at "less-than-efficient levels" in January and February when employees were unable to reach plants due to harsh weather. He said retail customers also reported weak sales, attributed to slow consumer traffic.
"Several retailers delayed orders in an effort to minimize inventories at fiscal year-end, in addition to their ongoing efforts to control their total inventory investment," Schmitt said as he further explained his company's sluggish sales.
