History of Procter & Gamble. History of Procter & Gamble Year of foundation of Procter & Gamble

This story began in 1837. It was a difficult time for America: hundreds of banks were closing, crowds of people were wandering the streets in search of work, panic reigned in the financial markets, rumors agitated society - “the country is on the verge of bankruptcy...”
However, despite rumors of an impending civil war, two entrepreneurs, chipping in $3,500 each, founded a small company producing candles and soap in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later, thoroughness and a forward-looking approach to business allowed the modest business not only to survive the unprecedented financial, economic and political storms in the USA in the middle of the last century, but also to quickly develop into one of the most advanced companies in the world.

Today, the names of founding fathers William Procter and James Gamble have confidently entered the global history of business development. Piously following the traditions laid down by the founding fathers, the company made the company's employees holders of its shares back in 1887 and was one of the first in American industry to invest large sums in research and development activities at the end of the 19th century.

Among the products that at one time made a revolution in the consumer market are those developed in Procter&Gamble laboratories and first introduced by the company: Ivory soap - the first floating soap, then the first mass-produced synthetic washing powder Dreft, the predecessor of the famous Tide, released in 1946 d. Tide was followed by the world-famous washing powders Ariel and Dash. At the same time, the market leader after the war, Crest toothpaste with fluoride, due to its unique qualities, became the first toothpaste officially recommended by the American Dental Association, and Blend-a-Med, manufactured in Germany, is its direct successor. Disposable baby diapers have occupied a special place in P&G products in recent decades. Having released the first series of their famous Pampers in 1961, the company’s specialists actually invented a new category of consumer goods.

P&G's rapid globalization has resulted in the creation of a worldwide network of 17 research and development institutes located in the United States, Europe, Japan and Latin America. The company annually spends more than $1 billion on research, and the number of employees employed in this field (with a Doctor of Science degree) exceeds six thousand people.

P&G's head office remains in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. P&G has branches and operates in more than 140 countries. Today products from P&G (and these are Ariel, Tide, Myth detergents, Ace bleach, Comet, Fairy cleaning products, Pampers diapers, Always, Alldays, Tampax sanitary pads, Head & Shoulders shampoos, Pantene Pro V, Wash & Go, Safeguard soap , Camay) have simply become part of the everyday life of more than 2 billion consumers around the world, because with the call “ Let Cleanliness, Beauty and Health always reign in your home!", it's hard to disagree, isn't it?

Today, probably, any person cannot imagine a day without deodorant, soap or a toothbrush. Household chemicals are an indispensable attribute in every home. Now on the shelves in the store there is a huge selection of powders, gels, detergents and You can easily find a product that solves any problem in the house - be it stains on clothes, stubborn grease on the stove, or hair prone to split ends. We owe all this to two wonderful people, William Procter and James Gamble. Back in the mid-19th century, they founded a company producing household goods - Procter & Gamble.

Why her?

Now the company occupies a leading position in the consumer market and 20th place in the Fortune 100 ranking. It has more than a million shareholders and about 150,000 employees.

Procter & Gamble is a global, large-scale company. Its main office is located in America, in Ohio, and investors are in more than 75 countries. Procter & Gamble products are high quality and affordable. The products are trusted by consumers around the world. The company not only takes into account the needs of customers, but also embodies their desires in new, improved products. Procter & Gamble is also the founder of the “brand system”. The company's more than 3,000 brands are sold in almost every country in the world, and its annual revenue exceeds $76 billion.

Main activities of the company

Today the company represents about 50 brands on the market. Its activities are focused on three main areas:

• body care products;
• household chemicals;
• health products.

Procter & Gamble household chemicals provide almost half of the company's annual turnover.

Procter & Gamble came to our country in the early 90s. Its products are divided into two categories: and professional use. The second category includes large-volume products intended mainly for corporate consumers. These are dry cleaners, boarding houses, hotels, motels.

Procter & Gamble products

The most popular Procter & Gamble brands:

• chemicals and household goods - Ariel, Charmin, Comet, Mr. Proper, Lenor, Dreft, Pampers, Ace, Duracell, Fairy, Ambi Pur;
• care products - Head & Shoulders, Tampax, Blend-a-med, Wella, Gilette, Shamtu, Braun, Old Spice, Naturella, Olay, Londa, Mach 3, Always, Shandy.

In addition, the following products are sold through intermediaries: Vicks medicine, Max Factor products.

Procter & Gamble products are not the only ones on the consumer market today. The main competitors for the production of products are:

• Colgate, Palmolive, Hill's pet food;
• L'oreal Paris;
• Schwarzkopf/Henkel;
• Unilever;
• Kimberly-Clark.

The company's very famous products are Oral-B and Blend-a-med. After all, every person’s teeth require attention, careful care, and quality care products, and the products of these brands will help solve many of your problems. These are caries, tooth sensitivity, stones, plaque, and unpleasant odor. offer the following products: toothpastes, regular and electric brushes, floss, mouthwash. Manufacturers guarantee high quality and positive results after just a few weeks of using the product.

Quite wide for Gillette products. She is in demand among both young guys and adult men. Her products for a clean and easy shave have taken the whole world by storm. These are razors, antiperspirants (gel, solid, in the form of sprays), pre- and post-shave products for all skin types, eau de toilette. Gillette technology is unique.

Product development and improvement

Procter & Gamble is committed to the environment. Constantly looking for alternative waste disposal methods. Since the production and use of products often generate solid waste, the company adheres to three new safe methods:

1. Significant reduction of waste during operations.
2. Developing improved packaging, which in turn minimizes waste.
3. Introducing to the pricing policy. That is, support for authorities and bodies that are trying to optimize the waste system by setting a price rate.

Representatives of Procter & Gamble claim that the products are harmless and non-toxic. Rospotrebnadzor issued a decree in the summer to withdraw some products from sale. Dishwashing detergent and powders were hit.

Although many people are now wondering about compliance with safety standards, all Procter & Gamble products fully comply with sanitary norms, standards and requirements.

This story began in 1837. It was a difficult time for America: hundreds of banks were closing, crowds of people were wandering the streets in search of work, panic reigned in the financial markets, rumors agitated society - “the country is on the verge of bankruptcy...”

However, despite rumors of an impending civil war, two entrepreneurs, chipping in $3,500 each, founded a small company producing candles and soap in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later, thoroughness and a forward-looking approach to business allowed the modest business not only to survive the unprecedented financial, economic and political storms in the USA in the middle of the last century, but also to quickly develop into one of the most advanced companies in the world.

Today, the names of founding fathers William Procter and James Gamble have confidently entered the global history of business development. Faithfully following the traditions laid down by the founding fathers, the Procter and Gamble company made the company's employees holders of its shares back in 1887 and was one of the first in American industry to invest large sums in research and development activities at the end of the 19th century. .

Among the products that at one time made a revolution in the consumer market are those developed in Procter&Gamble laboratories and first introduced by the company: Ivory soap - the first floating soap, then the first mass-produced synthetic washing powder Dreft, the predecessor of the famous Tide, released in 1946 d. Tide was followed by the world-famous washing powders Ariel and Dash. At the same time, the market leader after the war, Crest toothpaste with fluoride, due to its unique qualities, became the first toothpaste officially recommended by the American Dental Association, and Blend-a-Med, manufactured in Germany, is its direct successor." A special place Disposable baby diapers have dominated P&G's products in recent decades. Having released the first series of their famous Pampers in 1961, the company's specialists actually invented a new category of consumer goods.

P&G's rapid globalization has resulted in the creation of a worldwide network of 17 research and development institutes located in the United States, Europe, Japan and Latin America. The company annually spends more than $1 billion on research, and the number of employees employed in this field (with a Doctor of Science degree) exceeds six thousand people.

P&G's head office remains in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. P&G has branches and operates in more than 140 countries. Today products from P&G (and these are Ariel, Tide, Myth detergents, Ace bleach, Comet, Fairy cleaning products, Pampers diapers, Always, Alldays, Tampax sanitary pads, Head & Shoulders shampoos, Pantene Pro V, Wash & Go, Safeguard soap ,Camay) have simply become part of the everyday life of more than 2 billion consumers around the world, because with the call “Let Cleanliness, Beauty and Health always reign in your home!” It's hard to disagree, isn't it?

175th anniversary of the common business of soap maker and candle maker

The joint venture of soap maker James Gamble and candle maker William Procter became the largest company in the world in 175 years. Procter & Gamble today markets about 300 brands in more than 160 countries. the site decided to trace the history of the company, which is inextricably linked with discoveries in household chemicals.

The history of Procter & Gamble begins in 1837. It was in this year that candlemaker William Procter met soap maker James Gamble. Soon they began to work together - on August 22, an official contract was concluded. Each contributed $3,596.47 to the common cause.

Already in 1859, the company's sales reached 1 million US dollars. Procter & Gamble had 80 employees at the time.

Interestingly, during the American Civil War of 1861-1865, Procter & Gamble received large contracts to supply soap and candles to the northern army.

In 1879, the son of the company's founder, James Noris Gamble, a certified chemist, developed a formula for an inexpensive white soap similar in quality to imported high-quality olive oil soap. The soap was named Ivory.

The national weekly newspaper The Independent first began publishing advertisements for Ivory soap in 1882. It was Harley Procter, William Procter's son, who convinced the partners to spend $11,000 to advertise the soap nationally. It was then that the whole country learned about the purity of Ivory soap and its ability to stay afloat.

In 1915, the company expanded beyond the American market for the first time, building its first production facilities in Canada. The Canadian plant has a staff of 75 people. It produces products under the Ivory and Crisco brands.

In response to the rapidly growing popularity of perfumed cosmetic soaps, the company introduced Camay soap to the market in 1926.

It is with the Procter & Gamble company that the common expression “soap opera” is associated. The fact is that in 1933, the radio series “Ma Perkins” was broadcast in America, sponsored by Oxydol washing powder from Procter & Gamble. The popularity of the series leads to the company beginning to sponsor other soap operas. Fans of radio shows become loyal customers of Procter & Gamble products in stores.

At the same time, Dreft appeared - the first synthetic detergent (SMC) for household use. The invention of SMS was the basis for a real revolution in the field of cleaning and washing technologies.

In 1937, Procter & Gamble celebrates its centenary. The company has sales of US$230 million.

Just 5 months after the advent of television in the United States, P&G placed its first TV ad during a baseball game, an advertisement for Ivory soap.

1946 is the year of the appearance of the “magic laundry detergent” - Tide laundry detergent. Tide's new formula provides the best wash performance of any product on the market. By 1950, Tide's combination of superior quality and reasonable price made it the leader in the detergent market.

In 1955, the first fluoride toothpaste, Crest, was introduced and clinical trials confirmed that the toothpaste protected teeth from caries.

In 1956, Procter & Gamble achieved sales of US$1 billion.

1961 - the year Pampers diapers appeared. A trial run of baby diapers is arriving in stores in Peoria, Illinois. After some improvements, better and cheaper disposable diapers are appearing on the market. Gradually, they are becoming the most convenient way to swaddle babies, replacing traditional gauze diapers.

P&G entered the global coffee market by acquiring the Folgers brand in 1963.

In 1967, Ariel washing powder appeared on the market, which over time became one of the company's leading products among SMS on a global scale.

In 1983, the company launched Always/Whisper, excellent quality women's sanitary pads. After 2 years, the product reaches a leading position in its category.

In 1986, P&G invents the same product for washing and caring for hair - Pert Plus/Rejoice (2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner). This product is quickly becoming the world leader among shampoos.

In 1987, the company expanded its presence in the personal care category in the European market by acquiring the Blend-a-Med and Blendax line of toothpastes.

Two years later, P&G entered the perfume and cosmetics market by acquiring Noxell and its world-famous brands Cover Girl, Noxzema and Clarion. The company's sales reached 20 billion US dollars.

In 1990, the company expanded its presence in the men's personal care market by acquiring the Old Spice brand.

A year later, the acquisition of Max Factor and Beatrix strengthened the company's presence in the global market for cosmetics and luxury perfumes.

In 1991, Procter & Gamble entered the Eastern European market, opening offices in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Russia in 1991.

In 1992, P&G introduced Pantene Pro-V to the market. Soon this small brand, acquired as part of Richardson Vicks, becomes the fastest growing shampoo brand in the world.

In 1993, for the first time in the history of the company, more than 50% of sales were made outside the United States.

The company is expanding its presence in the feminine hygiene products category. In 1997, the Tampax brand was owned by P&G.

In 1999, P&G expanded its portfolio into pet food products by acquiring Iams, a world leader in premium pet food.

In 2001, P&G acquired the Clairol business from Bristol Myers Squibb Co. The Clairol brand is one of the leaders in the global market in the category of hair coloring products.

In 2002, P&G celebrates its 165th anniversary. The company has achieved sales of US$40 billion and has 12 brands in its portfolio with sales of over US$1 billion each. These brands account for more than half of the company's sales and revenue. These include Pampers, Tide, Ariel, Always, Pantene Pro-V, Charmin, Bounty, Iams, Crest, Folgers, Pringles and Downy.

In 2003, P&G acquired a majority stake in the global hair care market leader Wella AG, giving P&G a strong presence in the fast-growing professional hair care segment.

In 2005, Procter & Gamble and Gillette merged. World famous brands such as Gillette, Braun, Duracell and Oral-B have been added to the P&G family of brands.

History in logos:

Illustrations courtesy of P&G

Currently, the company's portfolio includes more than 300 brands. Of these, 22 brands have a turnover of more than US$1 billion each (Pampers, Tide, Ariel, Always, Pantene Pro-V, Charmin, Bounty, Iams, Crest, Folgers, Pringles, Downy, Gillette Mach 3, Dawn, Oral-B, Olay, Wella, Actonel, Duracell, Gillette series, Head&Shoulders, Braun). P&G launched Gillette Fusion ProGlide and acquired air freshener brand Ambi Pur. The Ace brand became P&G's twenty-third billionaire brand. Procter & Gamble products are presented in 38 categories of consumer goods. More than 135,000 employees work in 80 countries where P&G has offices.

P&G in Russia

Since its opening, the Russian division of P&G has become one of the most dynamically developing in the global P&G system. Today the company sells more than 70 brands in Russia and has leading market shares in 3/4 of product categories.

P&G was one of the first companies to enter the Russian market after the fall of the Iron Curtain. In his new book “Procter & Gamble. The path to success in Russia" John Pepper, ex-president of Procter & Gamble, described the development of P&G business in Russia in the difficult 1990s. The author was directly involved in the planning and implementation of the company's entry into the Russian market, he visited Russia several times and, as he repeatedly emphasizes in the book, fell in love with the country, its people and culture.

The official representative office of the Procter & Gamble Company was registered in Moscow in 1991, and a few months later the joint venture “Procter & Gamble USSR” appeared, the participants of which were St. Petersburg State University and Procter & Gamble EE Inc.

Vidal Sassoon Wash&Go is the company's first product to enter the Russian market. One of the primary tasks at that time was the organization of our own production in Russia, as a result of which the first contacts were established with the Novomoskovskbytkhim plant in Novomoskovsk, Tula region.

Vidal Sassoon Wash&Go

When entering the Russian market, Procter & Gamble decided to rapidly implement a regional rather than country strategy, in contrast to its previous international initiatives. Pursuing a regional penetration strategy, P&G categorized Eastern European regions based on their commercial attractiveness. Moscow and St. Petersburg were included in the most attractive group for the company, along with Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland.

In early 1992, just weeks after the collapse of the Soviet Union, P&G opened an office in Moscow. Since the opening of its first representative office, the Russian division of P&G has become one of the most dynamically developing in the global corporation system.

One of the problems that the company faced at the very beginning of its work in Russia was the lack of retail stores and a standard P&G distribution system for goods. To market its products, P&G used open-air markets, where aspiring entrepreneurs sold goods directly on trays, tents or stalls.

Soon sales of P&G products began in Moscow. According to an agreement with P&G, in December 1992, the Novomoskovskbytkhim plant began contract production of detergents. In 1993, sales expanded beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg. P&G wins the investment tender and acquires the first stake in Novomoskovskbytkhim JSC. The production of Wella brand shampoos and balms has begun in Dzerzhinsk.

In 1994, the company's office moved from St. Petersburg to Moscow. By the mid-90s, P&G represented 15 brands on the Russian market. In 1997, a new distribution center was built on the territory of the Novomoskovskbytkhim plant. A regional trade office is opened in Yekaterinburg.

In 1998, the investment program in Novomoskovsk was completed. Novomoskovskbytkhim begins production of Ace liquid bleach. A regional sales office is opened in Rostov-on-Don and Novosibirsk. However, P&G was forced to cut production and staff during the 1998 crisis. Despite all the difficulties, the company returned to profitability ten months after the onset of the economic crisis and was able to fully recover by 2000.

Tide or boil

Find and decontaminate

By the end of the 90s, P&G already owned a controlling stake in the Novomoskovskbytkhim plant. In 2003, an agreement was signed with OJSC Svoboda (Moscow) for the contract production of Camay toilet soap and Safeguard antibacterial soap. By the mid-00s, more than 30 brands were already represented in Russia. The volume of investments in the Russian economy exceeded $150 million, and in 2005 the volume of investments already exceeded $200 million. In 2006, after the merger with Gillette, the Gillette, Duracell, Braun, and Oral-B brands joined the P&G family. The merger of P&G Prestige Beaute with Cosmopolitan Cosmetics in Russia forms a new representative office of P&G Prestige Products Russia.

Last year the company celebrated 20 years of presence on the Russian market.