Colgate-Palmolive#History
{{Short description|American multinational consumer products company}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Colgate-Palmolive Company
| logo = Colgate-Palmolive logo.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| logo_caption = Logo used since 1983
| image = Colgate-Palmolive Building 300 Park Avenue.jpg
| image_caption = Headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York
| trade_name = Colgate-Palmolive
| type = Public
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{NYSE|CL}}|S&P 100 component|S&P 500 component}}
| predecessors = {{unbulleted list|Colgate|Palmolive|(pre-1953 merger)}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|1806}}
| founders = {{ubl|William Colgate (Colgate)|Burdett J. Johnson (Palmolive)|William J. Peet and Robert Peet (Peet Brothers)}}
| hq_location = 300 Park Avenue, New York City, New York 10022, U.S.
| key_people = {{ubl|Noel Wallace (Chairman, President & CEO)|Stanley J. Sutula III (CFO)}}
| area_served = Worldwide
| industry = Consumer goods
| products = {{flatlist|
| revenue = {{increase}} {{US$|20.1 billion|link=yes}} (2024)
| operating_income = {{increase}} US$4.27 billion (2024)
| net_income = {{increase}} US$2.89 billion (2024)
| assets = {{decrease}} US$16.0 billion (2024)
| equity = {{decrease}} US$212 million (2024)
| num_employees = {{circa|34,000}} (2024)
| subsid =
| website = {{URL|https://colgatepalmolive.com}}
}}
The Colgate-Palmolive Company, commonly known as Colgate-Palmolive, is an American multinational consumer products company headquartered on Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The company specializes in the production, distribution, and provision of household, health care, personal care, and veterinary products."[http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/Corp/LegalPrivacy.cvsp Legal/Privacy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206182502/http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/Corp/LegalPrivacy.cvsp |date=February 6, 2016 }}." Colgate-Palmolive. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
History and founding
File:Good Teeth Good Health, Colgate's Ribbon Dental Cream, 1913.jpg toothpaste]]
File:Palmolive1915.jpg soap]]
File:Colgate's Ribbon Dental Cream, Protect your teeth from grit. Red Book Magazine 1923-03.jpg
William Colgate, an English immigrant to America and devout Baptist, established a starch, soap, and candle factory on Dutch Street in New York City under the name William Colgate & Company in 1806.
In 1833, he suffered a severe heart attack, stopping his business's sales; after a convalescence he continued with his business. In the 1840s, the company began selling individual cakes of soap in uniform weights. In 1857, Colgate died and the company was reorganized as Colgate & Company under the management of his similarly devout Baptist son Samuel Colgate, who did not want to continue the business but thought it would be the right thing to do. In 1872, he introduced Cashmere Bouquet, a perfumed soap.
In 1873, the company introduced its first Colgate toothpaste, an aromatic toothpaste sold in jars.{{cite journal |last=Jones |first=Geoffrey |url=http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/Blond%20and%20Blue-eyed_0e0cba58-f39a-400b-b487-826befe097d7.pdf |title=Blonde and blue-eyed? Globalizing beauty, c.1945–c.1980 |journal=Economic History Review |volume=61 |issue=1 |year=2008 |pages=125–154 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810135011/http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/Blond%20and%20Blue-eyed_0e0cba58-f39a-400b-b487-826befe097d7.pdf |archive-date=August 10, 2015 |doi=10.1111/j.1468-0289.2007.00388.x |s2cid=154339826 }} In 1896, the company sold the first toothpaste in a tube, named Colgate Ribbon Dental Cream (invented by dentist Washington Sheffield). Also in 1896, Colgate hired Martin Ittner and under his direction founded one of the first applied research labs.{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_r9Ni6_u0JEC&q=matin+ittner+death&pg=PA160 |title=Colgate-Palmolive |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of New Jersey |publisher=Rutgers University |year=2004 |editor=Maxine N. Lurie, Marc Mappen |isbn=9780813533254 |access-date=January 3, 2011}} By 1908, they initiated mass sales of toothpaste in tubes. Another of William Colgate's sons, James Boorman Colgate, was a primary trustee of Colgate University (formerly Madison University).
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the B. J. Johnson Company was making a soap from palm oil and olive oil, the formula of which was developed by Burdett J. Johnson in 1898. The soap was popular enough to rename their company after it in 1917—Palmolive.{{cite web |url=http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/Corp/History/1806.cvsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060502094906/http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/Corp/History/1806.cvsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 2, 2006 |title=Colgate-Palmolive Company History: Creating Bright Smiles for 200 Years |access-date=February 24, 2009 }} Around the start of the 20th century, Palmolive was the world's best-selling soap.
In June 1928, rumors started that "officials of the Palmolive-Peet Co. are negotiating to purchase the Colgate Co." privately held by the Colgate family.{{cite news |title=Palmolive to Get Colgate?|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/655419694 |work=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |date=June 21, 1928 |access-date=February 4, 2023}} Peet Brothers Soap Company of Kansas City merged into Palmolive two years before the merger with Colgate.{{cite news |title=Palmolive Company and K.C. Concern to Unite|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/243242146/ |work=The Daily Tribune |location=Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin|date=December 7, 1926 |access-date=February 4, 2023}} The merger combined the three oldest and largest soap and perfumery companies in the US and was effective July 1, 1928. The combined company was named the "Colgate Palmolive Peet Company".{{cite web |url= https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us/about/history |title= History |year= 2016 |publisher= Colgate-Palmolive |access-date= 2018-01-12}} The combined pre-merger sales in 1927 of the three companies exceeded $100,000,000 ({{Inflation|US|100000000|1928|fmt=eq}}). The newly combined company had seven US manufacturing facilities as well as factories in 14 foreign countries.{{cite news |title=Soap Companies Will be Merged|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/100504819 |work=The Tennessean |location=Nashville, Tennessee |date=July 14, 1928 |access-date=February 4, 2023}} In 1953, the companies became a joint venture, known as the Colgate-Palmolive Company.
Competition with P&G
Colgate-Palmolive has long been in competition with Procter & Gamble (P&G), the world's largest soap and detergent maker and the maker of Crest toothpaste. P&G introduced its Tide laundry detergent shortly after World War II, and thousands of consumers turned from Colgate's soaps to the new product. Colgate lost its number one place in the toothpaste market when P&G added fluoride to its toothpaste Crest & Gleem (The Gleem brand was discontinued by P&G in 2014) Colgate has since re-claimed the #1 sales position.{{cite web|url=https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/09/12/colgate-or-crest-can-you-guess-which-is-americas-f.aspx|title=Colgate or Crest: Can You Guess Which Is America's Favorite Toothpaste?|first=Seenm |last=Williams |website=fool.com|date=September 12, 2014|access-date=May 5, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212185842/http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/09/12/colgate-or-crest-can-you-guess-which-is-americas-f.aspx|archive-date=December 12, 2016}} In the beginning of the TV era, Colgate-Palmolive wished to compete with P&G as a sponsor of soap operas and sponsored only two soap operas, The Doctors on NBC & ABC's One Life To Live from the shows debut in July 1968 until ABC bought One Life To Live from its creator Agnes Nixon in December 1974. They tried to keep the sponsorship of One Life To Live and gain sponsorship of Nixon's newest soap opera All My Children which ABC begin airing on January 5th of 1970 but ABC wouldn't allow it. However, The Doctors was sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive for its entire run from April 1963 until its cancellation in December 1982.
After The Doctors cancellation, Colgate-Palmolive never sponsored another show. P&G continued sponsoring several soap operas on all three networks until its last show As the World Turns was canceled in September 2010.
George Henry Lesch, president, CEO, and chairman of the board of Colgate-Palmolive in the 1960s and 1970s, transformed the firm into a modern company with major restructuring.
Recent years
In 2005, Colgate sold the under-performing brands Fab, Dynamo, Arctic Power, ABC, Cold Power and Fresh Start, as well as the license of the Ajax brand for laundry detergents in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, to Phoenix Brands, LLC as part of its plan to focus on its higher margin oral, personal, and pet care products.{{cite web |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1314/119312505140902/filing-main.htm |title=Colgate-Palmolive, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Jul 12, 2005 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522052903/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1314/119312505140902/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://promomagazine.com/news/colgate-palmolive_sells_071305/ |title=Colgate-Palmolive Sells Detergents to Phoenix Brands |access-date=February 24, 2009 |publisher=PROMO Magazine |date=July 13, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130052034/http://promomagazine.com/news/colgate-palmolive_sells_071305/ |archive-date=January 30, 2009 }}
In 2006, Colgate-Palmolive announced the intended acquisition of Tom's of Maine, a leading maker of natural toothpaste, for US$100 million.{{cite web |url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/2905/0001193125-06-093176.pdf |title=Colgate-Palmolive, Form 10-Q, Quarterly Report, Filing Date Apr 28, 2006 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522051311/http://pdf.secdatabase.com/2905/0001193125-06-093176.pdf |archive-date=May 22, 2013 }} Tom's of Maine was founded by Tom Chappell in 1970.
In 2020, Colgate-Palmolive acquired Hello Products LLC, one of the fastest-growing premium oral care brands in the United States, for an undisclosed amount.{{cite web|url=https://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/news/article_page/Colgate-Palmolive_acquires_subscription_oral_care_brand_Hello_Products/161815|title=Colgate-Palmolive acquires subscription oral care brand Hello products|first=Becky|last=Bargh|work=Cosmetics Business|date=January 28, 2020|access-date=August 6, 2021}}
Today, Colgate has numerous subsidiary organizations spanning 200 countries, but it is publicly listed in three: the United States, India, and Pakistan.
On October 25, 2012, the company announced it would cut 2,310 workers, or 6% of its workforce, by the end of 2016 in a push to make the consumer products company more efficient.{{cite web |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1028/115752312005370/filing-main.htm |title=Colgate-Palmolive, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Oct 25, 2012 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522043237/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1028/115752312005370/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2013 }} The company ranked 184th on the 2018 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by revenue.{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/list|title=Fortune 500 Companies 2018: Who Made the List|website=Fortune|language=en-US|access-date=November 22, 2018|archive-date=May 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502115903/http://fortune.com/fortune500/list/|url-status=dead}} In 2021, the company ranked 15th on the list of Most Trusted Brands by Morning Consult.{{Cite web |last=Shelley |first=Jonathan |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Report names Google 'most trusted brand' |url=https://wpta21.com/2021/04/20/poll-names-google-most-trusted-brand/ |access-date=June 3, 2021 |publisher=WPTA 21 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603072927/https://wpta21.com/2021/04/20/poll-names-google-most-trusted-brand/ |url-status=dead }}
=Educational and community involvement=
In 1890, Madison University in New York State was renamed Colgate University in honor of the Colgate family following decades of financial support and involvement.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Colgate University |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia Americana |publisher=The Encyclopedia Americana Corporation|year=1918|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r2cMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA250}}
The Colgate-Palmolive Company has sponsored a non-profit track meet open to women of all ages called the Colgate Women's Games.{{cite web|url=http://www.colgategames.com|title=Colgate Women's Games|access-date=September 26, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216213512/http://www.colgategames.com/|archive-date=December 16, 2014}} The Colgate Women's Games is the nation's largest amateur track series open to all girls from elementary school through college. Held at Brooklyn's Pratt Institute, competitors participate in preliminary meets and semi-finals over five weekends throughout January. Finalists compete for trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company at New York City's Madison Square Garden in February. For more than 20 years, the company supports the Starlight Children Foundation which is a non profit organization dedicated to help seriously ill children and their families. The mission is to help children to cope with pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, family activities and education.
In addition the Colgate site has all kinds of resources for children including educational tooth brushing songs and animated videos focused on their well known former animated mascot Dr. Rabbit.{{Cite web|url=https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health-education/educational-resources|title = Educational Resources}}
=Ethics=
In 2011, Colgate-Palmolive was one of the first companies recognized by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) under the new "working for regulatory change" category for companies that test on animals only when mandated by government regulations and are actively seeking alternatives to animal testing.{{cite web |url=http://www.peta.org/mediacenter/news-releases/Colgate-Palmolive-Company-Tops-PETA-s-New-List-Recognizing-Companies-Working-to-End-Government-Mandated-Tests.aspx |title=Colgate-Palmolive Company Tops PETA's New List Recognizing Companies Working to End Government-Mandated Tests |access-date=May 31, 2012 |publisher=peta.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828034633/http://www.peta.org/mediacenter/news-releases/Colgate-Palmolive-Company-Tops-PETA-s-New-List-Recognizing-Companies-Working-to-End-Government-Mandated-Tests.aspx |archive-date=August 28, 2012 }} This relates to the corporation's decision to continue to participate in the profitable Chinese market, where some animal testing is still a regulatory requirement.{{cite web |url=http://www.humaneresearch.org.au/campaigns/choosingcrueltyfree |title=Choosing Cruelty Free |access-date=July 13, 2014 |publisher=HRA |date=July 13, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714161305/http://www.humaneresearch.org.au/campaigns/choosingcrueltyfree |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }} Other companies have chosen to decline entry to this market.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s3961153.htm |title=Body Shop withdraws products from China over animal testing |access-date=July 13, 2014 |publisher=ABC |date=March 11, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714140808/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s3961153.htm |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}
In 2006, Colgate-Palmolive acquired an 84% stake in Tom's of Maine.{{cite news |title=Colgate expands reach of quirky toothpaste |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2006-03-21-colgate-toms_x.htm |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Co. Inc. |date=March 22, 2006 |access-date=July 28, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604020002/http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2006-03-21-colgate-toms_x.htm |archive-date=June 4, 2012 }} In 2011, the company chose to retain the use of the antibacterial agent triclosan in its market-leading Total toothpaste range, despite withdrawing it from several other product ranges, following concerns about triclosan's impact on health and the environment.{{cite web |url=http://adage.com/article/news/colgate-triclosan-total-toothpaste-brand/148408/ |title=Colgate Keeps Triclosan in Its $1B Total Brand |access-date=January 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110121092053/http://adage.com/article/news/colgate-triclosan-total-toothpaste-brand/148408/ |archive-date=January 21, 2011 }}
As of January 2024, Ethical Consumer website states that "Our research highlights several ethical issues with Colgate-Palmolive, including its approach to palm oil, supply chain management, climate change, excessive pay, tax, human rights, and animal testing. It scored our worst rating across all of these categories."{{cite web | url=https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/company-profile/colgate-palmolive-co | title=How ethical is Colgate-Palmolive Co? | Ethical Consumer | date=May 13, 2018 }}
=Environmental record=
Colgate-Palmolive received the 2012 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award.{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-02-23-12.html|title=NIOSH and NHCA present 2012 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™|publisher=Center for Disease Control|access-date=September 26, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103072505/http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-02-23-12.html|archive-date=January 3, 2015}}
As a successor to the Mennen Company, Colgate-Palmolive was reported in 2017 as one of about 300 companies held potentially responsible for hazardous waste at the Chemsol federal Superfund site in Piscataway, New Jersey.{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/settlement-clears-way-continued-funding-new-jersey-superfund-cleanup |title=Settlement Clears Way for Continued Funding of New Jersey Superfund Cleanup |date=January 6, 2009 |access-date=April 29, 2017 |publisher=US Department of Justice |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504013225/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/settlement-clears-way-continued-funding-new-jersey-superfund-cleanup |archive-date=May 4, 2017 }} Their involvement in this site may have contributed to the contamination of an estimated {{convert|18500|cuyd|m3}} of soil with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PCBs, and lead off-site. A proposed $23 million agreement with the government and state of New Jersey would require Colgate-Palmolive and the other involved companies to pay for the cleanup of this hazardous waste that is contaminating the soil as well as the groundwater.{{cite web |url=http://knowmore.org/wiki/index.php?title=Colgate_Palmolive_Company |title=Colgate Palmolive Company - Knowmore.org |access-date=February 25, 2009 |publisher=Knowmore |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307135548/http://www.knowmore.org/wiki/index.php?title=Colgate_Palmolive_Company |archive-date=March 7, 2009 }}
In 2019, BreakFreeFromPlastic cited Colgate-Palmolive as one of the world's top ten plastic polluters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90425011/coca-cola-nestle-and-pepsico-are-the-worlds-biggest-plastic-polluters-again|title=Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and PepsiCo are the world's biggest plastic polluters—again|last=Segran|first=Elizabeth|date=November 1, 2019|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=February 17, 2020}} Previously, Colgate-Palmolive had committed to 100% recyclability of plastics in packaging across all its product categories by 2025 but made no commitment to reducing the use of virgin plastic in packaging.{{Cite web|url=https://investor.colgatepalmolive.com/news-releases/news-release-details/colgate-palmolive-commits-recyclability-plastics-all-packaging-0|title=Colgate-Palmolive Commits to Recyclability of Plastics in All Packaging|website=Colgate-Palmolive Company|language=en|access-date=February 17, 2020}}
A 2021 report by Global Witness, updated in 2022, stated that Colgate-Palmolive had used palm oil suppliers connected to bribery, brutalisation of villagers and child labour in Papua New Guinea.{{cite web | url=https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/forests/true-price-palm-oil/ | title=The true price of palm oil }}
In 2021, the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) gave Colgate-Palmolive a score of "F" on their "scorecard" keeping track of deforestation and human rights abuses.{{cite web | url=https://www.ran.org/press-releases/major-brands-and-banks-failing-to-stop-deforestation-and-human-rights-abuses-new-scorecard-finds/ | title=Major Brands and Banks Failing to Stop Deforestation and Human Rights Abuses, New Scorecard Finds }} In August 2021, Colgate-Palmolive publicly disclosed the "forest impact of its palm oil supply chain in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra", showing the impact on the rainforests and the indigenous people who live there.{{cite web | url=https://www.ran.org/press-releases/colgate-palmolive-forest-impact/ | title=Colgate-Palmolive Discloses Impact of Supply Chain on Forests and Communities }} In November 2023, Colgate-Palmolive received a "D-" on their RAN scorecard.{{cite web | url=https://www.ran.org/the-understory/big-brands-show-little-sign-of-progress-2023/ | title=Big Brands Show Little Sign of Progress in Our 2023 'Keep Forests Standing' Scorecard - the Understory }}
In relation to climate change, in June 2023, Planet Tracker stated that Colgate-Palmolive "is on a path to missing its approved Science-based Targets emissions by a factor of 7 when optional indirect use emissions are excluded", it "provides 'no clear strategy' to mitigate its main source of emissions, namely, upstream Scope 3 activities" and its "climate engagement with its value chain has not resulted in positive results over the last half-decade, with the GhG emissions from key 'targeted' areas experiencing substantial growth."{{cite web | url=https://planet-tracker.org/colgate-palmolive-on-a-3oc-pathway-with-no-clear-strategy-for-scope-3-emissions/ | title=Colgate-Palmolive on a +3ºC pathway with 'no clear strategy' for Scope 3 emissions | date=June 8, 2023 }} Sustainability Beat stated in August 2023 that this puts their profits in jeopardy and risks greenwashing.{{cite web | url=https://www.sustainability-beat.co.uk/2023/08/21/unilever-risk-emissions/ | title=Unilever, Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive putting profits at risk through failure to tackle carbon emissions | date=August 21, 2023 }}
In 2024, the website Ethical Consumer gave Colgate-Palmolive the worst possible rating for climate change, plastic use, and palm oil/deforestation. It received their best rating for avoiding toxic chemicals in its products.
=Corporate governance=
As of August 2023, members of the board of directors of Colgate-Palmolive are the following:{{cite web |title=Board of Directors {{!}} Colgate-Palmolive |url=https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us/who-we-are/board-of-directors |access-date=August 22, 2023 |website=colgatepalmolive.com}}
- Noel Wallace
- John P. Bilbrey
- Lisa M. Edwards
- C. Martin Harris
- Martina Hund-Mejean
- Kimberly A. Nelson
- Lorrie M. Norrington
- Steve Cahillane
- John T. Cahill
- Stephen Sadove
=Employment diversity=
Colgate-Palmolive was named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine.{{cite web |url=http://www.workingmother.com/colgate-palmolive |title=Best Companies - Colgate-Palmolive |access-date=August 21, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824144428/http://www.workingmother.com/colgate-palmolive |archive-date=August 24, 2016 }} The 2012 Human Rights Campaign "report card" on American businesses gave Colgate an A for its support of diversity in the workplace.
However, Ethical Consumer states that the company "published no standards for working hours and wages and no information about the outcomes of supply chain audits. There was no clear mechanism workers could use to make anonymous complaints and raise issues", and scores badly in their human rights category.
= Response to Russian Invasion of Ukraine =
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Colgate-Palmolive announced a suspension of imports and sales in Russia, limiting operations to essential health and hygiene products. The company also halted all capital investments, media, advertising, and promotional activities within the country. As of December 2024, Colgate-Palmolive's current operational status in Russia remains unspecified.{{cite web |date=2022-03-12 |title=Colgate-Palmolive to sell only essential health, hygiene products in Russia |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/colgate-palmolive-to-sell-only-essential-health-hygiene-products-in-russia-122031200186_1.html |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Business Standard}}
Brands
File:Colodent – toothpaste, Poland.jpg
Colgate now markets a broadly diversified mix of products in the United States and other countries. Major product areas include household and personal care products, food products, health care and industrial supplies, and sports and leisure time equipment.
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Afta Lotion
- Anthony longlife soap
- Anbesol
- Ajax
- Axion
- Caprice (shampoo) (Mexico)
- Cibaca (India)
- Cold Power
- Colgate
- Colodent (Poland)
- Crystal White Octagon
- Cuddly (Australia)
- Darlie (toothpaste) (Southeast Asia)
- Dermassage
- Dentagard (toothpaste; Germany)
- Duraphat (fluoride varnish)
- Dynamo (detergent)
- Elmex (toothpaste)
- EltaMD (skincare)
- Fab (detergent)
- Fabuloso (all purpose cleaner)
- Filorga (cosmetics; France)
- Fluffy (Australia)
- Fresh Start
- Freska-Ra (Mexico)
- Gard (shampoo)
- Hacı Şakir (Turkey)
- Hello Products
- Hill's Pet Nutrition (pet food)
- Hurricane (detergent) (Australia)
- Irish Spring
- Kolynos
- La Croix (bleach) France
- Mennen
- Meridol (toothpaste)
- Murphy Oil Soap
- Nifti (detergent) (Australia)
- Palmolive
- PCA Skin
- Pousse Mousse (acquired from S. C. Johnson & Son)
- Profidén (Toothpaste, Spain)
- Protex
- Sanex{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/colgate-unilever-idUSL3E7EN1Z920110323/ |title=Colgate buys Sanex from Unilever for $940 million |access-date=August 17, 2011 |work=Reuters |date=March 23, 2011 |first=David |last=Jones |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929180558/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/23/colgate-unilever-idUSL3E7EN1Z920110323 |archive-date=September 29, 2011 }}
- Science Diet
- Skin Bracer
- Softsoap
- Soft As Soap (soap) (Australia)
- Softlan (softener) (Southeast Asia)
- Soupline (France, Belgium, Greece)
- Speed Stick
- Spree (detergent) (Australia)
- Suavitel (Mexico)
- Tahiti (soap) (France, Belgium, Switzerland)
- Teen Spirit{{cite web|url=https://www.instyle.com/beauty/teen-spirit-deodorant-history|title=A Brief History of Teen Spirit Deodorant|publisher=InStyle|access-date=June 27, 2019}}
- Tender Care
- Tom's of Maine
- Ultra Brite
{{div col end}}
Discontinued products and former brands
- Ajax Laundry Detergent (Ajax Cleanser still made by CP) {{cite AV media |date=October 9, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH2solqGM2k |title=VINTAGE 1965 AJAX DETERGENT COMMERCIAL (STEEL CITY, USA) |publisher=TV TOY MEMORIES |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416035637/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH2solqGM2k |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |url-status=live}}
- Ad (detergent) {{cite AV media |date=February 6, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPzqfF-g4fU |title=AD Detergent Whimsical Animation TV Commercial - 1955 |publisher=LAUNDRYSTOP |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308041700/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPzqfF-g4fU |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |url-status=live}}
- Bambeanos{{cite book|author=Marianne M. Jennings|title=Business: Its Legal, Ethical, and Global Environment|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fTp0oW0b4goC&pg=PA447|date=December 13, 2010|publisher=Cengage Learning|isbn=978-0-538-47054-4|pages=447}}
- Brisk (fluoride toothpaste) {{cite web |author=collectologist |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/collectologist/3481725167/ |title=Brisk Toothpaste | collectologist |publisher=Flickr |date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028135056/https://www.flickr.com/photos/collectologist/3481725167/ |archive-date=October 28, 2016 }}
- Burst (detergent)
- Cue (fluoride toothpaste) {{cite AV media |date=October 7, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi0iAMf8-OE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/wi0iAMf8-OE| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=VINTAGE 1965 COMMERCIAL - CUE TOOTHPASTE (DISCONTINUED) |publisher=TV TOY MEMORIES |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2021}}{{cbignore}}{{cite AV media |date=November 24, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zvEqSsZrXw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/4zvEqSsZrXw| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Vintage commercials - Cue Toothpaste |publisher=Vintage Video Archive |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2021}}{{cbignore}}
- Cashmere Bouquet (soap) {{cite AV media |date=May 11, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAXig-Cz4L0 |title=ada and elsie |publisher=radiobov |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309054000/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAXig-Cz4L0 |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |url-status=live}}
- Cherish (cinnamon flavored toothpaste)
- Cold Power (detergent)* (known in Canada as Arctic Power, Australian and New Zealand rights sold to Henkel in May 2015)
- Coleo (soap) {{cite web |url=http://lostandfoundshop.ca/products/coleo-vintage-soap-colgate-palmolive-peet-1950s-original-packaging |title=Coleo/Colgates Vintage Original 1950s Soap X 3 PACK – L N F |publisher=Lostandfoundshop.ca |date=June 23, 2016 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518063713/http://lostandfoundshop.ca/products/coleo-vintage-soap-colgate-palmolive-peet-1950s-original-packaging |archive-date=May 18, 2015 }}
- Colgate Tooth Powder** {{cite AV media |date=October 21, 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veuD75oR7Qo |title=Colgate toothpowder double role english 30 secs |publisher=Ajay Paralkar |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315031853/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veuD75oR7Qo |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2HADpjF3Nw |title=YouTube |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327031140/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2HADpjF3Nw |archive-date=March 27, 2016 }} and Colgate Chlorophyll Tooth Powder {{cite web |url=http://amhistory.si.edu/ogmt/images/upload/health-hygiene-and-beauty/Oral/full/AHB2013q076262_cropped.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=November 23, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033720/http://amhistory.si.edu/ogmt/images/upload/health-hygiene-and-beauty/Oral/full/AHB2013q076262_cropped.jpg |archive-date=December 1, 2017 }}
- Colgate Toothpaste with Chlorophyll** {{cite web |last=Gillard |first=Dale |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/dalegillard/5065356972/ |title=Colgate chlorophylle | Dale Gillard |publisher=Flickr |date=October 9, 2010 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028192330/https://www.flickr.com/photos/dalegillard/5065356972/ |archive-date=October 28, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=colgate+with+chlorophyll#imgdii=_&imgrc=BlrtH_IkvYel5M%253A;pQnj2WynkdG6pM;http%253A%252F%252Febid.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fupload_big%252F0%252F1%252F9%252F1348766955-4264-5.jpg;http%253A%252F%252Fuk.ebid.net%252Ffor-sale%252F1952-colgate-chlorophyll-toothpaste-ad-large-76891411.htm;602;604|title=colgate with chlorophyll - Google Search|website=www.google.com|access-date=May 5, 2018}}
- Dynamo laundry detergent (liquid detergent-no longer made by CP in the U.S.) {{cite AV media |date=March 24, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr2gbedGyaM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/sr2gbedGyaM| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Dynamo Laundry Detergent Commercial 1982 |publisher=Gone But Not Forgotten Commercials |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2021}}{{cbignore}}
- Fab Detergent (no longer made by CP in the U.S.)
- Fab One Shot (detergent)
- Florient (room deodorizer)
- Halo Shampoo {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mutn4SLZGBU |title=Halo Shampoo commercial 1952 (extended version) |publisher=YouTube |date=February 2, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415090915/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mutn4SLZGBU |archive-date=April 15, 2016 }}
- Kolynos (toothpaste)**
- Lustre-Creme Shampoo {{cite AV media |date=November 6, 2007 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGOw6j8MeYk |title=LUSTRE CREME HAIR SHAMPOO SHIRLEY JONES |publisher=tvdays |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307151645/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGOw6j8MeYk |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |url-status=live}}
- Octagon (soap) {{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Octagon-Purpose-Laundry-Soap-Colgate/dp/B000GCOLQ6/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1426709070&sr=1-1&keywords=octagon+soap |title=Octagon All Purpose Laundry Bar Soap by Colgate - 7 Oz : Bath Soaps : Health & Personal Care |website=Amazon |access-date=August 1, 2016}}
- Palmolive Rapid Shave {{cite AV media |date=October 18, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqwUpiTRZ0g |title=Vintage - Rapid Shave Shaving Cream Commercial |publisher=Ron Flaviano |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223145055/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqwUpiTRZ0g |archive-date=February 23, 2020 |url-status=live}}
- Colgate's Peter Pan Beauty Bar with Chlorophyll {{Cite web|url=https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/bars-nos-colgates-peter-pan-beauty-1830011308|title=3 Bars NOS Colgate's Peter Pan Beauty Soap Bars -1952 | #1830011308}}
- Soaky (bubble bath for kids) {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ddNwvAt2zk |title=Soaky bubble bath - Australian TV commercial |publisher=YouTube |date=February 13, 2009 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310120649/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ddNwvAt2zk |archive-date=March 10, 2016 }}
- Super Suds (detergent) {{cite web |url=http://www.studebakersgeneralstore.com/itempage.php?uniqueid=91435 |title=Super Suds Detergent Box |work=Studebaker's General Store |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914233228/http://www.studebakersgeneralstore.com/itempage.php?uniqueid=91435 |archive-date=September 14, 2015 |access-date=August 1, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-colgate-palmolive-super-suds-laundry |title=Vintage Colgate Palmolive Super Suds Laundry Detergent (09/05/2008) |publisher=Worthpoint.com |date=September 5, 2008 |access-date=August 1, 2016}}
- Swerl (liquid cleanser) {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubVFT-5N-UQ |title=Supermarket Commercials Part 3: Swerl to Tide |publisher=YouTube |date=October 24, 2010 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202235841/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubVFT-5N-UQ |archive-date=December 2, 2015 }}
- Vel (dishwashing detergent) {{cite AV media |date=June 14, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de8x4gQz3x0 |title=Vel Dishwashing Detergent Commercial (1960s) |publisher=Throwback |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309184848/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de8x4gQz3x0 |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |url-status=live}}
Notes:
In May 2015, Colgate-Palmolive sold its Australian laundry detergents and pre-wash brands to Henkel for US$245 million (€220 million).{{cite news|title=Henkel to buy Colgate-Palmolive's Australian and New Zealand laundry brands|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-32700839|access-date=January 3, 2016|work=BBC News|date=May 12, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105081441/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32700839|archive-date=January 5, 2016}} Colgate-Palmolive has divested its laundry detergents business in Colombia, which was in turn acquired by Unilever and some Asian countries, which was acquired by Procter & Gamble.{{cite news|title=Colgate Sells Asian Detergent Brands to P&G|url=http://www.warc.com/LatestNews/News/Colgate_Sells_Asian_Detergent_Brands_to_PG.news?ID=18622|access-date=January 3, 2016|publisher=WARC|date=January 5, 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105081442/http://www.warc.com/LatestNews/News/Colgate_Sells_Asian_Detergent_Brands_to_PG.news?ID=18622|archive-date=January 5, 2016}}
Facilities
In the U.S., the company operates approximately 60 properties, of which 14 are owned.{{cite web |url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/1242/0001445305-13-000275.pdf |title=Colgate-Palmolive, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Feb 21, 2013 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522060329/http://pdf.secdatabase.com/1242/0001445305-13-000275.pdf |archive-date=May 22, 2013 }} Major U.S. manufacturing and warehousing facilities used by the oral, personal and home care segment of Colgate-Palmolive were located in Morristown, New Jersey (previously the headquarters of the Mennen company prior to their 1991 buyout, and still HQ of the Mennen division) until 2014, when the plant shut down and moved operations to Hodges, South Carolina ; Morristown, Tennessee; and Cambridge, Ohio. The pet nutrition segment has major facilities in Bowling Green, Kentucky; Emporia, Kansas; Topeka, Kansas; and Richmond, Indiana. The primary research center for oral, personal and home care products is located in Piscataway, New Jersey and the primary research center for pet nutrition products is located in Topeka, Kansas.
Overseas, the company operates approximately 280 properties of which 80 are owned in over 70 countries. Major overseas facilities used by the oral, personal and home care segment are located in Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Guatemala, India, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, Venezuela, Vietnam and elsewhere throughout the world.
Colgate-Palmolive has closed or is in the process of phasing out production at certain facilities under a restructuring program initiated in 2004 and has built new state-of-the-art plants to produce toothpaste in the U.S., Mexico and Poland.{{cite web |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1905/119312508041526/filing-main.htm |title=Colgate-Palmolive, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Feb 28, 2008 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522051153/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1905/119312508041526/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2013 }}{{cite news |title=Colgate-Palmolive opens Morristown toothpaste plant |url=http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/feb/28/colgate-palmolive-opens-morristown-toothpaste-plan/ |work=Knox News Sentinel |date=February 28, 2008 |access-date=February 26, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108075636/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/feb/28/colgate-palmolive-opens-morristown-toothpaste-plan/ |archive-date=January 8, 2009 }}
Colgate-Palmolive's chief manufacturing plant is located in Burlington Township, New Jersey, producing all of the fragrance and flavor oils for the company's facilities around the world.
Advertising
The iconic hand on the Palmolive dishwashing soap label belongs to hand model Elizabeth Barbour.{{Cite web |date=2006-09-17 |title=Looking back, Elizabeth Barbour wishes she would've charged a penny per bottle. |url=https://roanoke.com/lifestyles/looking-back-elizabeth-barbour-wishes-she-wouldve-charged-a-penny-per-bottle/article_32fd5278-b79f-5122-94bb-a1e1a20e3e84.html |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=Roanoke Times |language=en}} The image is an illustration of a photograph taken in 1985 when the Colgate-Palmolive Company updated the image, hiring Barbour, then with the Ford Agency in New York City.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikisource|Portal:Colgate-Palmolive|display=Colgate-Palmolive}}
- {{Official website|https://www.colgatepalmolive.com}}
{{Finance links
| name = Colgate-Palmolive Company
| symbol = CL
| sec_cik = 21665
| yahoo = CL
| google = CL:NYSE
}}
- [http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/colgate-palmolive-company-history/ Colgate-Palmolive company history] at FundingUniverse
{{Colgate-Palmolive}}
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Category:American companies established in 1806
Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange
Category:Companies in the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats
Category:Cosmetics companies of the United States
Category:Dental companies of the United States
Category:Health care companies established in 1806
Category:Health care companies based in New York (state)
Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1806
Category:Multinational companies based in New York City
Category:Personal care companies of the United States
Category:Piscataway, New Jersey
Category:Publicly traded companies based in New York City
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Category:1806 establishments in New York (state)
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