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.
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“