Colgate-Palmolive Co. history, company profile (overview) and history video
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer goods company headquartered in New York, NY, United States. It develops, produces, distributes, and sells health, hygiene, household, and pet nutrition products.
BRANDS
Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, the company sells its products around the world under some of the world’s most recognizable household names:
Oral Care
- Colgate
- Sorriso
- Tom’s of Maine
- elmex
- hello
Personal Care
- Palmolive
- Protex
- Sanex
- Softsoap
- Speed Stick
- Lady Speed Stick
- Irish Spring
- Tom’s of Maine
- PCA SKIN
- Filorga
- EltaMD Skin Care
- Danklorix
- for the future NOW
Home Care
- Suavitel
- Murphy Oil Soap
- Palmolive Dish Soap
- Softlan
- Ajax
- Fleecy
- Pinho Sol
- Axion
- Sta-soft
- Fabuloso
- Soupline
Pet Care
- Hill’s Pet Nutrition
HISTORY
Colgate-Palmolive’s origins date back to 1806 when William Colgate started a starch, soap and candle business on Dutch Street in New York City.
In 1857, upon the death of founder William Colgate, the company was reorganized as Colgate & Company under the management of the founder’s son, Samuel Colgate.
In 1864, B.J. Johnson opened a soap factory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which later became the Palmolive Company.
In 1872, the Peet brothers established a soap company in Kansas City, Kansas where they make Crystal White soap.
In 1873, Colgate started selling toothpaste in jars.
In 1879, Gerhard Mennen established a pharmacy in Newark, New Jersey, which later became the Mennen Company.
In 1896, Colgate introduced toothpaste in a collapsible tube.
In 1898, B.J. Johnson Soap Co. introduced Palmolive Soap.
In 1908, Colgate was incorporated by the five sons of Samuel Colgate.
In 1912, William Mennen introduced the first American shaving cream tube.
In 1914, Colgate established its first international subsidiary in Canada.
In 1920, Colgate began establishing operations in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
In 1926, Soap manufacturers Palmolive and Peet merged to become Palmolive-Peet Company.
In 1928, Colgate merged with Palmolive-Peet to become Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company.
In 1930, Colgate was first listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
In 1939, Dr. Mark L. Morris developed a pet food to help save a guide dog named Buddy from kidney disease. This led to the first Hill’s Prescription Diet product.
In 1947, Ajax cleanser was launched.
In 1953, Colgate-Palmolive Company became the company’s official name.
In 1966, Palmolive dishwashing liquid was introduced.
In 1970, Irish Spring launched in Germany as Irische Frühling and in Europe as Nordic Spring. In 1972, Irish Spring was introduced in North America.
In 1972, Colgate acquired Hoyt Laboratories, which later became Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals.
In 1975, Caprice hair care was launched in Mexico.
In 1976, Colgate-Palmolive acquired Hill’s Pet Nutrition, which is now considered one of the global leaders in pet nutrition and veterinary recommendations.
In 1985, Protex bar soap was introduced.
In 1987, Colgate acquired Softsoap liquid soap business from the Minnetonka Corporation. Colgate is now considered one of the global leaders in liquid hand soap.
In 1991, Colgate acquired Murphy Oil Soap, one of the leading wood cleaners in the U.S.
In 1992, Colgate acquired the Mennen Company.
In 1995, Colgate entered Central Europe and Russia and acquired the Kolynos Oral Care business in Latin America.
In 2004, Colgate acquired the GABA oral care business in Europe.
In 2006, Colgate entered the Naturals segment by purchasing Tom’s of Maine.
In 2011, Colgate acquired the Sanex personal care brand in Europe.
In 2019, Colgate acquired the premium, anti-aging skincare brand Filorga.
In 2020, Colgate acquired Hello Products LLC.
With more than 34,000 employees, Colgate-Palmolive Co. sells its products in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. According to Forbes, it is considered one of the Largest Public Companies in the World.
*Information from Forbes.com, Wikipedia.org, and www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us
**Video published on YouTube by “Colgate-Palmolive Company“