The vice president of manufacturing in the Americas for Rayovac Corp. visited Grainger Hall Tuesday to relay his experiences working in international relations.

David Einerson’s lecture was the kickoff for “International Opportunities Month,” a program aimed at students in all majors to prepare them for experiences with foreign cultures.

During his speech, Einerson advocated that attendees get involved with foreign events through internships and study-abroad programs.

“If you don’t have a passport, get one,” Einerson said.

Einerson proceeded to give details about Rayovac’s business strategy. Rayovac recently appeared in the local news spotlight after its decision to move headquarters from the Madison business district to Atlanta. Einerson touched on Rayovac’s decision, promising no jobs would be lost, and then entertained the issue of increasing manufacturing overseas.

Einerson believes success in foreign countries is important, adding that every domestic factory must “work on a global scale.”

Einerson also talked about Rayovac’s plans to expand into China, one of America’s manufacturing competitors.

“If you aren’t competing in China … you’re not competing,” he said.

Einerson, a University of Wisconsin graduate of the executive MBA program, added that with access to China’s lower materials cost, Rayovac can use this leverage to lower the prices of the company’s current vendors.

Einerson’s main focus in manufacturing abroad is Central America, where there are many hurdles for a company’s success. Colombia, where Rayovac opened a battery-producing plant recently, has been immersed in civil struggles and conflicts for more than 30 years. Einerson, who travels there often, said he gets government-issued travelers’ warnings nearly every day.

“When I get these (travel warnings) [it] makes you want to just sign up and go,” Einerson said sarcastically, noting the threats of kidnapping are very real.

Einerson explained protests often disrupt public transportation abroad, like when a picket line of striking teachers surrounded an airport in Guatemala and prevented Einerson from flying out of the country.

In addition to these protests, other ways of life also can prove difficult to overcome, he said. For example, foreign regulations change quickly due to a country’s elections and campaign promises by officials. Likewise, Einerson said “disruptive technologies” such as electricity harm the battery business.

Einerson explained that in Guatemala, only about 15 percent of the population has electricity, which makes the country’s population dependent on battery-powered products.

UW senior Casey Nicks attended the lecture because he is interested in foreign affairs.

Sachin Tuli, an outreach specialist at the UW School of Business, also believed Einerson’s visit to be of value to students.

“Some students want an international experience but don’t know what or how to go about that yet,” Tuli said, adding that Einerson’s lecture will help by describing at least one aspect of international affairs to students.