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    Reckitt Benckiser Group

    Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc history, profile and corporate video

     Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc manufactures and markets branded products in the health, hygiene and home sectors. It sells a comprehensive range of products through over 60 operating companies into nearly 200 countries. The company’s brands include air fresheners, household cleaners, laundry products, furniture polishes and dishwashing detergents. It also makes over-the-counter pharmaceuticals such as analgesics, antiseptics, flu remedies, and gastrointestinal medications and offers products for hair removal, denture cleaning and pest control. The company’s business is structured through a matrix of three geographical segments: Europe and North America (ENA); Latin America, North Asia, South East Asia and Australia and New Zealand (LAPAC); and Russia and CIS, Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Sub-Saharan Africa (RUMEA). These segments consist of a centralized category development, global sales, supply and support functions such as finance, human resources and information services. The group also has two non core businesses: RB Pharmaceuticals and Food. The central category development function is responsible for strategies, brand equity programmes and best practices, and new product development (including research and development and consumer and market research), for implementation by the geographical segments. The supply function is responsible for all procurement, production and logistics globally, and is directly responsible for the operation of the company’s production facilities worldwide. Information services function is responsible for the company’s global systems infrastructure and global systems, including enterprise resource planning systems. The RB Pharmaceuticals business is responsible for the development of the Subutex and Suboxone prescription drug business. The Food business owns a largely North American food business, the principal brands of French’s Mustard and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. The company was founded in December 1999 and is headquartered in Slough, the United Kingdom.

    “Reckitt Benckiser Group History

    For such a fast-paced, entrepreneurial business some are surprised to learn the company’s history spans 150 years of innovation for consumers across the world. With a German and British heritage, RB’s drive for financial performance and social responsibility today can be seen in its deep roots – as shown in this timeline.

    1800

    1823

    Founding of Benckiser by Johann A. Benckiser.
    Core business derived from industrial chemicals.

    1840

    Issac Reckitt rents, then subsequently (in 1848) buys a starch mill in Hull.
    Diversifies into other household products; becomes renowned for starch, washing blue and black lead for polishing.

    1862

    Death of Issac Reckitt aged 70. Business left to three sons.

    1880

    Mortein launches in Australia.

    1886

    Reckitt & Sons begins its expansion and opens businesses around the world – firstly Australia.

    1888

    Reckitt & Sons is launched on the London Stock Exchange.

    1894

    James Reckitt accept Baronetcy and becomes Sir James Reckitt.

    1900

    1912

    Lehn & Fink Products begins US production of Lysol – originally imported from Germany.

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    1913

    Joint venture set up in South America between Reckitt & Sons and J&J Colman – Atlantis Ltd. So successful that it is extended, in 1921, to cover all trading outside the UK.

    In the UK, Reckitt & Sons join the Mason brothers in forming the Chiswick Polish Company. Diversification into other branded household products continues through the war years and the Twenties.

    1932

    Harpic Lavatory Cleaners bought.

    A major breakthrough for Reckitt & Sons, with the decision to market a germicide, Dettol, endorsed by the medical profession.

    Dettol launched.

    1935

    Sanpic disinfectant launched.

    1937

    Visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Dansom Lane, Hull in October.

    Steradent business acquired.

    1938

    Reckitt & Sons merge with J&J Colman to become Reckitt & Colman Ltd.

    1943

    Air Wick launches in USA.

    1953

    Finish launches into the automatic dishwashing market in the USA.

    1954

    The Chiswick Polish Company merges with Reckitt & Colman Ltd.

    1956

    Benckiser diversifies into consumer goods and industrial cleaning products. In the same year, Benckiser launches Calgon water softener.

    1964

    Benckiser develops and launches Calgonit Automatic Dishwashing Detergent and Quanto Fabric Softener in 1966.

    1965

    Gaviscon accidentally discovered during scientific research.

    1972

    Launch of Vanish Stain Removal Bar.

    1982

    Benckiser continues its expansion into consumer goods via acquisitions and divestitures and in 1985 acquires St. Marc S.A, France.

    1983

    Nurofen is the first OTC (over the counter) product to use ibuprofen – the first new OTC analgesic since 1950s.

    1985

    Reckitt & Colman buys Airwick products.

    1988

    Benckiser purchases Mira Lanza Spa and Panigal Spa, Italy.

    1989

    Benckiser acquires S.A. Camp Group, Spain.

    1990

    Reckitt & Colman acquire Boyle-Midway, the American household products group with brands Woolite, Easy-Off, Sani-Flush, Wizard and Old English.

    Benckiser acquires worldwide branded business of Beecham Household Products in US and Canada.

    1991

    Benckiser begins expansion into Eastern Europe.

    1994

    Reckitt & Colman acquires Lehn & Fink Products, including Lysol, the famous household disinfectant brand in the USA.

    1995

    Reckitt & Colman sells the Colman’s food business.

    1996

    Benckiser continues its expansion into the Baltic countries, Belorussia, China and Israel.

    1999

    Reckitt & Colman and Benckiser merge to become Reckitt Benckiser – the world No.1 in household cleaning.

    2000

    2000

    In November, RB acquires Tiga Roda – an Indonesian pest control business.

    In March, RB acquires Oxy, a leading household business in Korea.

    2001

    In April, RB disposes of the (non-core) firelighter business.

    In August, RB disposes of Dr. Becher, a non-core business.

    2002

    RB acquires outstanding minority interest in India and Sri Lanka.

    2005

    Cillit Bang launches in 68 countries in just one year.

    2006

    RB completes acquisition of Boots Healthcare International for £1,926 million, gaining a new platform for growth in the attractive OTC (over the counter) healthcare market.

    2007

    Air Wick Freshmatic launches, creating an entirely new Aircare segment.

    2007

    Vanish hits the world No.1 spot! From it’s UK launch in 1999, Vanish becomes market leader in 75% of the 57 countries it now sells in.

    2008

    RB completes acquisition of Adams Respiratory Therapeutics, Inc., allowing it to enter the USA’s over-the-counter market with Mucinex – the clear No.1 cough remedy in the US.

    2009

    RB launches its new corporate brand identity. Contemporary and bold, it reflects RB’s spirit and what RB is all about as a business: ‘The Power behind the Powerbrands’

    2010

    RB completes acquisition of SSL International and adds Durex and Scholl to their list of Powerbrands.

    2011

    Bart Becht steps down as CEO after over a decade. He is replaced by Rakesh Kapoor.

    2012

    RB announces new strategy for continued outperformance, along with a new vision and purpose. Our vision is a world where people are healthier and live better. Our purpose is to make a difference by giving people innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes.

    2012

    RB acquires nutritional supplement and vitamin company Schiff Nutrition.”

    *Information from Forbes.com and Rb.com

    **Video published on YouTube by “RB

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