Who Owns Palmolive?
Palmolive is owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, a publicly traded consumer goods company listed on the NYSE under ticker CL. The Palmolive brand was created in 1898 and merged with Colgate Company in 1928 to form what became Colgate-Palmolive. The company is headquartered in New York City and reports annual revenues of approximately $20 billion.
Parent Company
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Acquired
1928
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
New York City, USA
Who Owns Palmolive?
- Parent Company: Colgate-Palmolive Company
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1928
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: CL
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Palmolive | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Wholly owned |
History of Palmolive
- Founded: 1898
- Founders: B.J. Johnson
- Acquired by Colgate-Palmolive Company: 1928
B.J. Johnson founded a soap company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1864. In 1898, the company introduced a soap made from palm and olive oils, which it named Palmolive. The natural-oil formula was marketed as gentler than soap made from animal fats, and the product proved commercially successful. The company renamed itself the Palmolive Company.
In 1916, Palmolive merged with Peet Brothers to form Palmolive-Peet Company. In 1928, Palmolive-Peet merged with Colgate Company to form Colgate-Palmolive-Peet, renamed Colgate-Palmolive in 1953.
Today Palmolive is primarily sold as dishwashing liquid and hand soap in markets across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. In the United States, Palmolive dishwashing liquid competes with P&G's Dawn.
About Colgate-Palmolive Company
What does Colgate-Palmolive own?
Colgate-Palmolive owns a portfolio of consumer brands across four categories: oral care (Colgate, elmex), personal care (Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Speed Stick), home care (Ajax, Fabuloso, Murphy Oil Soap), and pet nutrition (Hill's Science Diet, Hill's Prescription Diet). The Colgate brand holds the number one global market share in toothpaste.
Is Colgate-Palmolive publicly traded?
Yes, Colgate-Palmolive Company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol CL. The company has no controlling shareholder, with ownership distributed among institutional investors including Vanguard Group and BlackRock.
What is Colgate-Palmolive's annual revenue?
In FY2024, Colgate-Palmolive reported net sales of approximately $20.1 billion, a 3.3% increase from $19.46 billion in FY2023. Hill's Pet Nutrition contributed approximately $4.48 billion, representing approximately 22% of total revenue.
Who is Colgate-Palmolive's CEO?
Noel Wallace has served as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Colgate-Palmolive since 2019 (CEO) and 2020 (Chairman). He joined the company in 1987 and progressed through senior management roles across multiple geographies before becoming CEO.
Who founded Colgate-Palmolive?
The Colgate business was founded by William Colgate in 1806 in New York City as a starch, soap, and candle manufacturer. The modern Colgate-Palmolive Company was formed through the 1928 merger of Colgate Company and Palmolive-Peet Company.
What is Hill's Pet Nutrition?
Hill's Pet Nutrition is a Colgate-Palmolive subsidiary that markets premium science-based pet food under the Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet brands. Acquired by Colgate-Palmolive in 1976, Hill's pioneered the concept of veterinary-channel pet food and generated approximately $4.48 billion in net sales in FY2024, making it one of the most valuable assets in the Colgate-Palmolive portfolio.
- Founded: 1806
- Headquarters: New York, New York, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: CL
- Revenue: approximately $20.1 billion (FY2024)
- Employees: Approximately 35,000
Where Is Palmolive Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York City, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Mexico, Brazil, India, Germany
Brands Owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company
Frequently Asked Questions About Palmolive
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Palmolive on AmazonCompetitors to Palmolive
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unilever | United Kingdom | 1957 | Mass market | Global | Womens | |
| Evyap | Turkey | 1970 | Mass market | Europe | Unisex | |
| Unilever | Netherlands | 1925 | Mass market | Global | Unisex |
Learn More About Competitors
Dove
Owned by Unilever plc
Personal care brand owned by Unilever, known for beauty bars and skincare products.
Fax
Owned by Evyap
Turkish brand of soap and personal care products manufactured and marketed by Evyap, known for quality and affordability across multiple markets.
Lux
Owned by Unilever plc
Global beauty soap and body wash brand owned by Unilever, known as the world's first mass-market beauty soap since 1925.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Palmolive competes with 3 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Colgate-Palmolive Company Stock Information
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