Colgate-Palmolive facts for kids
Logo used since 1983
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Headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York
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Trade name
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Colgate-Palmolive |
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| Public | |
| Traded as | |
| 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$20.1 billion (2024) |
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Operating income
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US$4.27 billion (2024) |
| US$2.89 billion (2024) |
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| Total assets |  US$16.0 billion (2024) |
| Total equity | US$212 million (2024) |
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Number of employees
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c. 34,000 (2024) |
The Colgate-Palmolive Company is a big American company. It makes many products you might use every day. These include things for your home, health, and even for your pets! Their main office is in New York City.
Contents
History and Founding
The story of Colgate-Palmolive began in 1806. A man named William Colgate, who came from England, started a small business in New York City. He made soap, candles, and starch. His company was called William Colgate & Company.
After William Colgate passed away in 1857, his son, Samuel Colgate, took over. In 1872, the company created a perfumed soap called Cashmere Bouquet.
A year later, in 1873, Colgate introduced its first toothpaste. It was a special paste sold in jars. Later, in 1896, they started selling toothpaste in tubes. This was a big step forward! They called it Colgate Ribbon Dental Cream.
Around the same time, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, another company was making a popular soap. This soap was made from palm oil and olive oil. It was so popular that the company changed its name to Palmolive in 1917. By the early 1900s, Palmolive was the best-selling soap in the world.
In 1928, the Colgate company and the Palmolive company joined together. They also merged with another soap company called Peet Brothers. This created a huge new company called "Colgate Palmolive Peet Company." In 1953, the name was shortened to the "Colgate-Palmolive Company" that we know today.
Competition and Growth
Colgate-Palmolive has always had strong competition, especially with Procter & Gamble (P&G). Both companies make many similar products. For example, P&G introduced Tide laundry detergent after World War II. This made many people switch from Colgate's soaps.
Later, P&G added fluoride to its toothpaste, Crest. This helped Crest become very popular. However, Colgate has since become the number one toothpaste seller again.
In the early days of TV, Colgate-Palmolive also sponsored some TV shows. These included The Doctors and One Life To Live.
In the 1960s and 1970s, a leader named George Henry Lesch helped Colgate-Palmolive become a more modern company. He made many changes to help it grow.
Recent Years and Community Work
In recent years, Colgate-Palmolive has focused on its main products. These include oral care (like toothpaste), personal care (like soap), and pet care. For example, in 2005, they sold some laundry detergent brands like Fab and Dynamo.
In 2006, Colgate-Palmolive bought Tom's of Maine. This company makes natural toothpaste and other products. In 2020, they also bought Hello Products LLC, another fast-growing oral care brand.
Today, Colgate-Palmolive sells its products in over 200 countries around the world. It is one of the largest consumer product companies.
Helping the Community
Colgate-Palmolive is involved in many community programs. In 1890, Madison University in New York was renamed Colgate University. This was to honor the Colgate family for their many years of support.
The company also sponsors the Colgate Women's Games. This is a non-profit track meet for girls and women of all ages. It's the largest event of its kind in the country. Girls from elementary school through college can compete for trophies and educational grants. The final events are held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
For over 20 years, Colgate-Palmolive has supported the Starlight Children Foundation. This group helps seriously ill children and their families. They provide fun activities and education to help kids cope with pain and fear.
Colgate's website also has fun resources for kids. These include songs and videos about brushing your teeth. They even feature a cartoon character called Dr. Rabbit.
Company Ethics and Environment
Colgate-Palmolive works to be a responsible company. In 2011, they were recognized by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). This was for their efforts to reduce animal testing. They only test on animals when required by law and are looking for other ways to test products.
The company has also faced challenges regarding its environmental impact. Like many large companies, it uses plastic in its packaging. In 2019, Colgate-Palmolive was named one of the top plastic polluters by BreakFreeFromPlastic. The company has promised to make all its plastic packaging recyclable by 2025.
Colgate-Palmolive also uses palm oil in some products. This ingredient has been linked to deforestation and other issues. The company is working to make sure its palm oil comes from responsible sources.
Brands You Might Know
Colgate-Palmolive makes a wide variety of products. Here are some of their well-known brands:
- Ajax (cleaners)
- Colgate (toothpaste, toothbrushes)
- Elmex (toothpaste)
- Hill's Pet Nutrition (pet food)
- Irish Spring (soap)
- Mennen (deodorant, men's grooming)
- Murphy Oil Soap (wood cleaner)
- Palmolive (soap, dish soap)
- Protex (soap)
- Sanex (personal care)
- Softsoap (hand soap)
- Speed Stick (deodorant)
- Suavitel (fabric softener)
- Tom's of Maine (natural toothpaste, deodorant)
- Ultra Brite (toothpaste)
Discontinued Products and Former Brands
Over the years, Colgate-Palmolive has also stopped making or sold off some brands. Here are a few examples:
- Ajax Laundry Detergent (Ajax Cleanser is still made by CP)
- Cashmere Bouquet (soap)
- Cherish (cinnamon flavored toothpaste)
- Cold Power (detergent)
- Dynamo laundry detergent
- Fab Detergent
- Halo Shampoo
- Kolynos (toothpaste)
- Palmolive Rapid Shave
- Soaky (bubble bath for kids)
- Vel (dishwashing detergent)
Some of these brands, like Cold Power and Kolynos, are still made and sold by Colgate-Palmolive in other countries, just not in the U.S.
Company Locations
Colgate-Palmolive has many facilities around the world. In the U.S., they have about 60 properties. These include factories and warehouses. Major factories for oral, personal, and home care products are in places like Hodges, South Carolina, and Cambridge, Ohio. Their pet nutrition products are made in places like Bowling Green, Kentucky.
The main research centers are in Piscataway, New Jersey, for home and personal care, and Topeka, Kansas, for pet nutrition.
Outside the U.S., the company has about 280 properties in over 70 countries. They have major facilities in places like Australia, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and Poland.
Colgate-Palmolive has also built new, modern factories in places like the U.S., Mexico, and Poland to make toothpaste. Their main plant for making fragrances and flavors for their products worldwide is in Burlington Township, New Jersey.
Advertising
The famous hand on the Palmolive dishwashing soap label belongs to a hand model named Elizabeth Barbour. Her hand was photographed in 1985 for the updated image.
