You’ve seen the commercials. The bunny with the drum that just won't quit. Most of us have a drawer full of those iconic copper-topped cylinders, but if you actually stop to look at the fine print on the side of a AA, you won't see a giant factory name that matches the brand. It’s a bit of a corporate rabbit hole.
So, who makes Duracell batteries? Honestly, it’s not some anonymous third-party manufacturer hidden in a basement. Duracell is made by Duracell Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s powerhouse conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway.
That’s right. The same guy who loves Cherry Coke and owns GEICO is the ultimate boss of the world’s most famous battery brand. It hasn't always been this way, though. The company has bounced around between some of the biggest names in American business like a hot potato before finally landing in Buffett’s lap in 2016.
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Back in 2014, the business world got a bit of a shock. Procter & Gamble (P&G)—the people who make Tide and Crest—decided they wanted out of the battery game. They had too many brands and wanted to simplify.
Warren Buffett, being the savvy investor he is, saw an opportunity. He didn't just buy the company with a suitcase full of cash. It was a "cash-rich split" deal. Berkshire Hathaway basically traded about $4.7 billion worth of P&G stock they already owned in exchange for the entire Duracell business.
The deal officially closed on February 29, 2016. Since then, Duracell has operated as a "permanent" part of the Berkshire family. Buffett likes "moats"—businesses that are hard to compete with. Everyone knows the Duracell name. It's reliable, it's everywhere, and people keep buying them even when cheaper options exist. That is the ultimate moat.
Where Are These Things Actually Built?
"Who makes them" is one thing, but "where do they make them" is another. A lot of people assume everything electronic is shipped in from overseas. While Duracell does have a global footprint, a massive chunk of their production happens right here in the United States.
If you bought a pack of AA or AAA batteries at a CVS or Walmart in the U.S. recently, there is a very high probability they were born in LaGrange, Georgia. This plant is a beast. We're talking over 2 billion cells produced a year.
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If you're using the bigger C or D batteries for a heavy-duty flashlight? Those usually come from Cleveland, Tennessee.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main hubs:
- LaGrange, Georgia: The primary home for AA and AAA assembly.
- Cleveland, Tennessee: The specialists for C and D cells.
- Aarschot, Belgium: Their massive European manufacturing core.
- China: They have facilities here to handle the massive demand in the Asian markets.
Duracell actually employs over 3,000 people globally. They just announced a massive $56 million investment to move their Global R&D Headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia, specifically near Georgia Tech. They aren't just making old-school alkaline batteries anymore; they are dumping serious money into figuring out what comes next.
A History of Passing the Torch
Duracell didn't start with a bunny or a billionaire. It started in the 1920s with a scientist named Samuel Ruben and a manufacturer named Philip Rogers Mallory. They called it the P.R. Mallory Company.
For decades, it was a tech-heavy company making mercury batteries for the military. It wasn't until 1964 that the "Duracell" brand name (short for "durable cell") was actually introduced to consumers.
Look at this lineage:
- Dart Industries (1978): They merged with Kraft in 1980.
- KKR (1988): The private equity giants took it over and eventually took it public.
- Gillette (1996): They bought Duracell for a cool $7 billion.
- Procter & Gamble (2005): P&G bought Gillette, and Duracell came along for the ride.
- Berkshire Hathaway (2016-Present): The current and likely final home.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Store Brands"
There’s a persistent rumor that Duracell makes the batteries for Costco (Kirkland Signature). You'll hear people say, "Oh, they're the exact same battery, just a different wrapper."
Is it true? Kinda.
While Duracell has confirmed in the past (notably by the CEO on various investor calls) that they have manufactured batteries for Costco, it doesn't mean they are identical. Manufacturers often tweak the chemistry or the internal "Power Boost" ingredients to meet the specific price points of a private label. So, while the hands making them might be the same, the recipe might be slightly different.
The Technology: Is it Just Zinc and Manganese?
Most of what Duracell makes today are Alkaline batteries. They use a reaction between zinc and manganese dioxide.
But the market is shifting. We’re seeing a huge move toward Lithium coin cells (for those annoying Apple AirTags or car key fobs) and Rechargeable NiMH batteries. Duracell doesn't just sit on their laurels; they've been pushing "Power Boost" ingredients to squeeze every last milliamp-hour out of those little cylinders.
They’ve also gotten serious about safety. Have you noticed the bitter coating on the coin batteries? That’s Duracell. They started putting a non-toxic bitterant on them so kids would spit them out immediately if they put them in their mouths. It’s a small detail, but it’s a big deal for parents.
Why This Matters for You
Knowing who makes Duracell batteries isn't just trivia. It tells you about the stability of the product. When a company is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, they aren't looking for a quick exit. They are looking for long-term quality.
If you’re looking to get the most out of your batteries, here are a few expert tips:
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- Check the "Best If Used By" date. Even the best batteries lose about 2-3% of their charge per year just sitting on a shelf.
- Store them in a cool, dry place. No, the fridge isn't necessary anymore (that's an old myth from the carbon-zinc days), but a hot garage will kill them fast.
- Don't mix old and new. If you put one fresh Duracell in a device with two old ones, the new one will try to "charge" the old ones, which leads to leaks.
Next Steps for Your Power Needs:
Take five minutes to check the "emergency" drawer in your kitchen. If you have loose batteries rolling around, put them in a plastic case or keep them in their original packaging to prevent the terminals from touching and shorting out. If you see any white, powdery leakage on old batteries, dispose of them at a local recycling center rather than tossing them in the trash, as the potassium hydroxide can be a skin irritant.