Colgate-Palmolive facts for kids
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Headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York
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| Public | |
| Traded as |
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| Industry | Consumer goods |
| Predecessors |
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| Founded | 1806 |
| Founders |
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| Headquarters | 300 Park Avenue, New York City, New York 10022, U.S. |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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| Products |
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| Revenue |  US$19.5 billion (2023) |
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Operating income
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US$3.98 billion (2023) |
| US$2.30 billion (2023) |
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| Total assets | US$16.4 billion (2023) |
| Total equity | US$957 million (2023) |
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Number of employees
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c. 34,000 (2023) |
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a big American company that makes many products you might use every day. Their main office is in New York City. They are known for making household items, health products, personal care items, and even pet food.
Contents
The Story of Colgate-Palmolive
How Did Colgate Start?
The company began in 1806 when a man named William Colgate started a business in New York City. He made starch, soap, and candles. His company was called William Colgate & Company.
After William Colgate passed away in 1857, his son, Samuel Colgate, took over. In 1872, Samuel introduced a new perfumed soap called Cashmere Bouquet.
When Did Toothpaste Come Along?
In 1873, Colgate introduced its first toothpaste. It was a special paste sold in jars. Later, in 1896, they made history by selling the first toothpaste in a tube! This was called Colgate Ribbon Dental Cream. By 1908, toothpaste in tubes became very popular.
The Palmolive Story
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, another company called B. J. Johnson Company was making a popular soap. This soap was special because it was made from palm oil and olive oil. People loved it so much that the company changed its name to Palmolive in 1917. Around this time, Palmolive was the best-selling soap in the world.
Colgate and Palmolive Join Forces
In 1928, the Colgate Company and the Palmolive-Peet Company decided to merge. This brought together three of the oldest and largest soap and perfume companies in the US. The new company was named "Colgate Palmolive Peet Company." Later, in 1953, it became known as the Colgate-Palmolive Company, which is what we know today.
Colgate-Palmolive Today
Colgate-Palmolive is a huge company that sells products in over 200 countries. They are listed on stock exchanges in the United States, India, and Pakistan.
In 2012, the company decided to make some changes to become more efficient. They planned to reduce their workforce by about 6% by 2016. In 2018, Colgate-Palmolive was ranked 184th among the largest US companies by revenue. By 2021, it was named one of the most trusted brands.
What Brands Does Colgate-Palmolive Own?
Colgate-Palmolive makes many different products for your home and personal care. They also make pet food. Here are some of their well-known brands:
- Ajax (cleaning products)
- Axion
- Cibaca (India)
- Cold Power
- Colgate (toothpaste and toothbrushes)
- Colodent (Poland)
- Darlie (toothpaste) (Southeast Asia)
- Elmex (toothpaste)
- EltaMD (skincare)
- Fabuloso (cleaner)
- Filorga (cosmetics; France)
- Hill's Pet Nutrition (pet food)
- Hello Products
- Irish Spring (soap)
- Kolynos
- Mennen (deodorant and men's grooming)
- Meridol (toothpaste)
- Murphy Oil Soap
- Palmolive (soap and dish soap)
- PCA Skin
- Protex (soap)
- Sanex
- Science Diet (pet food)
- Softsoap (hand soap)
- Softlan (softener) (Southeast Asia)
- Soupline (France, Belgium, Greece)
- Speed Stick (deodorant)
- Suavitel (Mexico)
- Tom's of Maine (natural toothpaste and personal care)
- Ultra Brite
Helping Communities and Education
Colgate-Palmolive has a history of supporting education and communities.
- In 1890, Madison University in New York was renamed Colgate University. This was done to honor the Colgate family for their many years of financial help and involvement.
- The company sponsors the Colgate Women's Games. This is a non-profit track meet for girls and women of all ages. It's the largest amateur track series in the country for girls from elementary school through college.
- Colgate-Palmolive also supports the Starlight Children Foundation. This group helps seriously ill children and their families. They aim to make children's lives better by providing entertainment, family activities, and education.
- The Colgate website offers fun resources for kids, like tooth brushing songs and animated videos featuring their old mascot, Dr. Rabbit.
What About Animal Testing?
Colgate-Palmolive has been working to reduce animal testing. In 2011, they were recognized by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) for trying to find other ways to test products. However, they still test on animals in places like China, where it is required by law. Other companies have chosen not to sell products in those markets to avoid animal testing completely.
Caring for the Environment
Colgate-Palmolive is working on its environmental impact. They have committed to making their plastic packaging 100% recyclable by 2025. However, they haven't yet promised to use less new plastic in their packaging.
The company has faced challenges regarding its use of palm oil. Reports have linked some of their palm oil suppliers to issues like deforestation and problems for local communities. Colgate-Palmolive is working to address these concerns and improve their supply chain.
They are also involved in cleaning up old hazardous waste sites, like the Chemsol site in New Jersey. This shows their responsibility in dealing with past environmental issues.
Where Are Colgate-Palmolive Products Made?
In the United States, Colgate-Palmolive has about 60 locations, with 14 of them owned by the company. Major factories for oral, personal, and home care products are in places like Hodges, South Carolina; Morristown, Tennessee; and Cambridge, Ohio. Their pet nutrition products are made in Bowling Green, Kentucky; Emporia, Kansas; Topeka, Kansas; and Richmond, Indiana.
The main research centers for oral, personal, and home care products are in Piscataway, New Jersey. The main research center for pet nutrition is in Topeka, Kansas.
Around the world, the company has about 280 locations in over 70 countries. They have major factories in places like Australia, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and Poland.
Colgate-Palmolive has been updating its factories, closing some older ones, and building new, modern plants to make products like toothpaste more efficiently. Their main plant for making fragrances and flavor oils for all their products worldwide is in Burlington Township, New Jersey.
Images for kids
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Cherish toothpaste logo
