My musings on how the price of copper (Aug. 8 blog) has had an impact on extension cord manufacturing led to another question that has me scratching my head.
Duracell has been calling their line of consumer alkaline batteries “The Coppertop” for years. Is there any copper in The Coppertop?
If yes, then when should we expect to see the volatility in copper pricing impact this product line?
According to the Duracell web site, copper is not part of the equation. It would appear that the metals in this popular product for consumer electronics and flashlights are zinc, potassium and manganese.
More than likely, the alkaline line of batteries is nothing more than a very effective marketing idea that appears to create a loose link in the consumers mind between the Duracell product and the metal that we all associate with electrical conductivity.
Hopefully, battery prices will remain stable for a while longer.
Unfortunately, there is still a big “X” factor on the horizon. Gillette, the company that owns Duracell, has been acquired by Proctor and Gamble, the huge consumer goods company. Continual consolidation in the consumer goods industry can’t be dismissed when trying to look into the future.
More about this in a future blog.
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