My original company is a private company; therefore I could not retrieve all the pertinent information needed to complete this assignment. The company I have chosen to profile is, Colgate-Palmolive. Colgate-Palmolive is a consumer products company. Co. has two product segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. Oral, Personal and Home Care products include toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, laundry and dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, bleaches and other similar items. These products are sold to retail trade customers and wholesale distributors. Pet Nutrition products include pet nutrition products manufactured and marketed by Hill's Pet Nutrition. The principal customers for Pet Nutrition products are pet supply retailers and veterinarians.
The history of Colgate-Palmolive dates back to the early 1806, when William Colgate started a starch, soap, and candle business in New York. Later that progressed into a starch business in New Jersey in 1820. In 1857 William Colgate passed and the company was renamed Colgate & Company under management by his son Samuel. In 1964 B.J. Johnson opened a soap company in Milwaukee, which later became Palmolive. Later on they introduced the world to perfumed soap, with Cashmere Bouquet Registered as a Colgate trademark. Towards the end of the 1800’s B.J. Soap Company introduces Palmolive soap and now is sold in 88 countries in 54 variations. By the start of the 1900’s, Palmolive began advertising about the importance of purity and the benefits of its products. In 1908 Colgate was incorporated by five of Samuel’s son. It was then that they creates the tube tooth paste. Three years later, Colgate distributed two million tubes of toothpaste to schools as well as dental hygienists to demonstrate tooth brushing. In 1930, Colgate was listed on the NYSE. Before they were listed on the NYSE, they merged with Palmolive and Peet, to become Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company. Later on in 1953 the Colgate-Palmolive name was adapted. Colgate opened a research center in Piscataway N.J. and introduced Palmolive dishwashing liquid. Today the liquid is sold in 35 countries. Towards the end of the 60’s Colgate adds fluoride to its toothpaste line to prevent against cavities. In the 70,s Colgate acquired Hoyt Laboratories and Hill’s Pet Nutrition. During this time Colgate introduces the Colgate plus toothbrush. Today Colgate sells over 1.6 billion toothbrushes worldwide. Near the end of the 80’s Colgate sale had reached 5 billion for the first time. Colgate acquires Murphy Oil Soap, the leading wood cleaner in the U.S. Today, its product portfolio has expanded to include all-purpose cleaners, sprays and wipes. Today, with sales surpassing $15 billion, Colgate focuses on four core businesses: Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate now sells its products in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.
The finances of Colgate, appears to be stable even with its biggest competitor taking
