Key Stats
Procter & Gamble stands as one of the world’s largest consumer goods corporations headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company was founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, marking the beginning of a business legacy spanning nearly two centuries.
The corporation operates through five distinct business segments delivering household and personal care products globally. These divisions include Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care segments. The company’s portfolio encompasses some of the most recognized brands across multiple product categories.
Procter & Gamble sells its products through diverse distribution channels including mass merchandisers, grocery stores, drug stores, e-commerce platforms, and specialty retailers. The company maintains a significant global footprint with manufacturing facilities and sales operations across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and other regions worldwide.
Procter & Gamble History
Procter & Gamble Co-founders
Born in England, William Procter was a candlemaker who emigrated to the United States and settled in Cincinnati, where he established the business partnership with James Gamble.
Born in Ireland, James Gamble was a soapmaker who immigrated to America and met William Procter through marriage to sisters, forming one of the most successful business partnerships in history.
Procter & Gamble Acquisitions
Procter & Gamble has executed numerous strategic acquisitions throughout its history to expand product categories and geographic reach. The 2005 acquisition of Gillette for $57 billion represented one of the largest consumer goods mergers ever completed. This transaction brought iconic brands including Gillette razors, Duracell batteries, Braun personal care appliances, and Oral-B dental products into the portfolio.
The company acquired Folgers Coffee in 1963, establishing a presence in the beverage category for several decades before divesting to Smucker’s in 2008. In the 1980s, Procter & Gamble purchased Richardson-Vicks, adding brands like Vicks respiratory products, Oil of Olay skincare, and Pantene hair care. The acquisition of Noxell Corporation brought Noxzema and Cover Girl cosmetics into the portfolio.
During the 1990s, the company continued expansion through acquisitions of Max Factor cosmetics and Old Spice men’s personal care products from Shulton. The purchase of Iams Company strengthened Procter & Gamble’s position in the pet food market. Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals acquisition added Pepto-Bismol to the healthcare portfolio.
More recently, Procter & Gamble has focused on divesting non-core brands to concentrate on key categories. The company sold Pringles to Kellogg’s in 2012 for $2.75 billion. In 2009, the prescription pharmaceutical business was sold to Warner Chilcott for $3.1 billion. Previous divestitures included selling Jif peanut butter to Smucker’s and exiting various food businesses.
The company has also made smaller strategic acquisitions to strengthen specific product lines. These purchases have focused on personal care, beauty, and household cleaning categories. Procter & Gamble continues evaluating acquisition opportunities that align with core business segments while divesting brands that do not fit the strategic portfolio.
Procter & Gamble Market Cap
Procter & Gamble maintains a market capitalization of approximately $356 billion as of 2024, positioning it among the most valuable consumer goods companies globally.
Procter & Gamble Competitors
Procter & Gamble operates in competitive consumer goods markets facing challenges from multinational corporations and regional brands.
| Competitor | Primary Products |
|---|---|
| Unilever | Personal care, home care, food and beverages |
| Colgate-Palmolive | Oral care, personal care, home care, pet nutrition |
| Kimberly-Clark | Personal care products, tissues, diapers |
| Johnson & Johnson | Consumer health, baby care, beauty products |
| L’Oréal | Cosmetics, skincare, hair care, fragrances |
| Henkel | Laundry and home care, beauty care, adhesives |
| Reckitt Benckiser | Hygiene, health, nutrition products |
| Church & Dwight | Household and personal care products |
| Estée Lauder | Prestige beauty and skincare products |
| Beiersdorf | Skincare and adhesive products |
Procter & Gamble Revenue
Procter & Gamble generated annual revenue of $84.3 billion in fiscal year 2024, reflecting steady growth in the consumer goods sector.
FAQs
When was Procter & Gamble founded?
Procter & Gamble was founded on October 31, 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. The partnership was formed after both men married sisters and their father-in-law encouraged them to collaborate.
What are Procter & Gamble’s most famous brands?
Procter & Gamble owns numerous iconic brands including Tide, Pampers, Gillette, Crest, Olay, Pantene, Downy, Charmin, Bounty, Head & Shoulders, Oral-B, Dawn, Febreze, and Duracell across various product categories.
How many employees does Procter & Gamble have?
Procter & Gamble employed approximately 109,000 people globally as of fiscal year 2024. The workforce spans operations across manufacturing facilities, research centers, and sales offices in multiple countries worldwide.
What was Procter & Gamble’s largest acquisition?
The $57 billion acquisition of Gillette in 2005 represents Procter & Gamble’s largest purchase. This merger brought Gillette razors, Duracell batteries, Braun appliances, and Oral-B products, creating the world’s largest consumer goods company.
Who are Procter & Gamble’s main competitors?
Procter & Gamble competes primarily with Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive, and Kimberly-Clark in household and personal care products. The company also faces competition from L’Oréal in beauty and Johnson & Johnson in consumer health segments.