Newell Rubbermaid, the Atlanta-based company that recently reorganized its myriad brands into six business units, down from nine, gave investors insights into how those units have performed.

The six business units in the streamlined structure are home solutions, writing, tools, commercial products, baby and parenting, and specialty.

Newell Rubbermaid appointed Doug Martin, 49, as chief financial officer, succeeding Juan Figuereo.

The multi-faceted consumer product company with brands including Irwin, Rubbermaid and Graco describes Martin as a “decisive, results-oriented leader with a strong record of financial operations management across multiple disciplines and geographies.”

Newell Rubbermaid’s net sales declined 1.9% to $1.52 billion in the second quarter ended June 30. Net income declined 23.8% to $111.8 million. But those declines didn’t prevent CEO Michael Polk from looking at the bright side and pointing to momentum.

Core sales, which exclude the impact of changes in foreign currency translation, grew by 0.4%. And net sales for the first six months were $2.85 billion, up 1.0 % from the first-half results last year.

Atlanta-based Newell-Rubbermaid posted a sales increase of 4.6% to $1.33 billion for the quarter. Net income was reported of $79.3 million, up from $75.7 million in the first quarter last year.

“We’re encouraged by the solid start to the year,” said Michael Polk, president and CEO. “We generated 5.2% core sales growth, normalized operating margin expansion, and nearly 14% normalized EPS improvement.” 

Atlanta-based Newell Rubbermaid announced a new five-year $800 million syndicated revolving credit facility. 

Michael Polk, president and CEO said: “This enhanced credit facility reflects our solid financial position and improved balance sheet, further bolstering our financial flexibility and demonstrating our continued ability to access capital at attractive terms.”

This facility replaces a $665 million syndicated revolving credit facility that was scheduled to mature in November 2012.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is holding steady at $3.45. Stanley Black & Decker and Newell Rubbermaid showed big monthly gains on the Home Channel Stock Roundup.

Newell Rubbermaid was recognized by Consumer Goods Technology magazine as the "2011 Most Innovative Company."

Newell Rubbermaid was selected for the award by industry peers based on multiple innovative new product launches in 2010 and 2011. Among them, the Rubbermaid Commercial Products Hygen Clean Water System, Calphalon, the Lenox Bi-Metal Speed Slot Hole Saw.

Each year the award honors the consumer goods company that best demonstrates excellence in driving growth through product and process innovation.

Former Unilever executive Michael Polk has been appointed president and CEO of Newell Rubbermaid, effective July 18. He succeeds Mark Ketchum, who is retiring but will remain a director until May 2012.

With its international business leading the way, Atlanta-based Newell Rubbermaid announced first quarter sales of $1.303 billion, down slightly from $1.306 billion in the same quarter last year.

Net income for the quarter was $75.7 million, up 23.4% from $58.4 million in the year-ago quarter.

Irwin Tools, a leading maker of hand tools and power tool accessories based in Huntersville, N.C., has named Ross Porter as its new president. Porter has held a variety of positions during his 18 years at Newell Rubbermaid, Irwin’s parent company. He most recently served as president of EMEA Transformation, where Porter led the company’s European transformation efforts, including implementation of a new European business model, integration and implementation of SAP enterprise system, and relocation of its European headquarters.