Reckitt Benckiser

Infobox Company
company_name = Reckitt Benckiser plc
company_
company_type = Public (lse|RB)
foundation = 1814
1938 by merger of Reckitt & Sons and J&J Colman.
1999 by merger of Reckitt & Colman and Benckiser.
location = Slough, England, UK
key_people = Adrian Bellamy (Chairman)
Bart Becht (CEO)
Colin Day (CFO)
industry = Chemicals
products = Cleaning products, healthcare, condiments
revenue = £5,3 billion (2007)|
operating_income=£1,2 billion (2007)
net_income = £938 million (2007)
num_employees = 21,900 (2006)
homepage = [http://www.reckittbenckiser.com www.reckittbenckiser.com]

Reckitt Benckiser plc (lse|RB) is a leading British-based manufacturer of cleaning products. It is headquartered in the town of Slough to the west of London. It is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Reckitt Benckiser has operations in more than sixty countries and sells its products in more than 180 countries.

History

The company was formed by a merger between Britain's "Reckitt & Colman" and the Dutch company "Benckiser NV" in December 1999. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19991117/ai_n14262285 Reckitt & Coleman annouce further delay to Dutch merger] ] The origins of Reckitt Benckiser's main predecessor businesses are set out below. Various other business have also been purchased over the years.

*"Colman's" was founded in 1814 when Jeremiah Colman began milling flour and mustard in Norwich, England. [http://www.reckittbenckiser.com/RBTemplates/AboutUsOurHistory.aspx?pageid=15 Reckitt Benckiser History] ]
*Johann A. "Benckiser" founded a business in Germany in 1823. Its main products were industrial chemicals. "Benckiser" went public in 1997. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3715/is_199712/ai_n8767221/pg_1 The case for US GAAP] ]
*Isaac "Reckitt" rented a starch mill in Hull, England, in 1840. He diversified into other household products and in due course passed on his business to his four sons. "Reckitt & Sons" listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1888.
*In 1938 Reckitt & Sons merged with "J&J Colman" to become "Reckitt & Colman Ltd". "Reckitt & Colman" sold the "Colman's" food business in 1995 but still has some food brands.

In October 2005, Reckitt Benckiser agreed to purchase the over-the-counter drugs manufacturing business of Boots Group, Boots Healthcare International, for £1.926 billion. The three main brands acquired were Nurofen in analgesics; Strepsils sore throat lozenges; and Clearasil anti-acne treatments. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4318088.stm Reckitt Benckiser buys Boots unit] BBC News, 2005]

In January 2008, the Company acquired Adams Respiratory Therapeutics Inc., a pharmaceutical company, for $2.3bn. [ [http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=AP&date=20080124&id=8087386 Reckitt completes Adams tender offer] ]

Operations

The Company divides its brands into six categories: surface care, fabric care, dishwashing, home care, health and personal care, and food.

Controversy

In March 2008, Reckitt Benckiser was accused of blocking a generic version of one of its most popular products, Gaviscon. The generic remedy, it was estimated, could save the NHS up to £40M. Leaked documents from Reckitt Benckiser revealed the existence of 'Project Eric', the objective of which appeared to be the manipulation of doctors and regulators. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/mar/07/health.nhs/print Company accused of cheating NHS] ]

Brands

This is a list of the brands owned by Reckitt Benckiser:

* Aerogard
* Air Wick
* Amphyl
* Bonjela
* Brasso
* Calgon
* Brio
* Calgonit
* Cattlemen's
* Ceraclen
* Chore Boy
* Cillit
* Clean and Smooth
* Clearasil
* Cling
* Cling Free
* Cobra Brilliant Shiner
* d-Con
* Dettol
* dip-it
* Disprin
* Easy-Off
* Easy On
* Electrasol
* Finish
* Frank's Red Hot
* French's Foods
* Gaviscon
* Glass Magic
* Glass Mates
* Glass Plus
* Glassex
* Harpic
* Hoffmann's
* Jet-Dry
* Lemsip
* Intima Liasan / Intima Bidex
* Lewis Red Devil
* Lime-A-Way
* Lysol
* Masterpiece Metalist
* Mop & Glo
* Mortein
* Mr. Sheen
* Mr. Min
* Nenuco
* Neutra-Air
* Nurofen
* Nurofen for children
* Noxon
* Old English
* Perk
* Poliflor Pratic
* Poliflor Maximo Brilho
* Precision Blend
* Resolve
* Rid-X
* Robin Blue
* Sagrotan
* Sani Flush
* Senokot
* Sipuro
* Spray 'n Starch
* Spray 'n Wash
* Strepsils
* Vanish
* Vani-Sol
* Veet
* Vitroclen
* Vivid
* Wenol
* Wizard
* Woolite
* Yes
* Zud

Ownership

* JAB Investments, 15.4%
* Legal & General Investment Management, 3.2%
* MFS Investment Management, 3.1%Lizol

Competitors

*Clorox
*Colgate-Palmolive
*Henkel
*GlaxoSmithKline
*Procter & Gamble
*S. C. Johnson & Son
*Unilever
*Sara Lee
*Church and Dwight

References

External links

* [http://www.reckittbenckiser.com/ Official site]
* [http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=RB.L Yahoo profile]