Reckitt Benckiser is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products.

It has operations in over 60 countries and its products are sold in over 180 countries. A bit about their history; both Reckitt & Colman were millers but this giant was grown by merger.

Colman's was founded in 1814 when Jeremiah Colman began milling flour and mustard in Norwich, England. Reckitt & Sons started in 1840 when Isaac Reckitt rented a starch mill in Hull, England. He diversified into other household products and in due course passed on his business to his four sons. Reckitt & Sons was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1888.

In 1938, Reckitt & Sons merged with J&J Colman to become Reckitt & Colman Ltd. The company made several acquisitions, including the Airwick and Carpet Fresh brands (1985), Boyle-Midway (1990), and the Lehn & Fink division of Sterling Drug (1994). Reckitt & Colman sold the Colman's food business in 1995 but still has some food brands.

The company today was formed by a merger between Britain's Reckitt & Colman PLC and the Dutch company Benckiser NV in December 1999.

In October 2005, Reckitt Benckiser, a large German chemical company, agreed to purchase the over-the-counter drug 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.

In January 2008, the company acquired Adams Respiratory Therapeutics, Inc., a pharmaceutical company. In July 2010, the company agreed to buy SSL International, the makers of Durex condoms and Scholl's foot care products.

Some of Reckitt Benckiser’s brands include: Calgon, Clearasil, Easy Off, Lysol, Old English and Woolite.

According to their 2012 annual report, Reckitt Benckiser’s net revenue increased by 5% to £9.567 billion, or roughly $14.68 billion and averaged 35,900 employees in 2012, up from 37,800 employees in 2011, which was up from 27,200 in 2010.

Church & Dwight was formed in 1846 by two natives of New England. They branded their new product Baking Soda, which is a trade name for bicarbonate of soda. And Baking Soda is now found in practically every kitchen throughout the country and is regarded as a necessity by millions of Americans. It was first prepared for commercial distribution by John Dwight of Massachusetts and his brother-in-law, Dr. Austin Church of Connecticut.

The first factory was in the kitchen of Dr. Austin Church where they put baking soda in paper bags by hand. Today, the absolutely pure bicarbonate of soda is processed and packed by highly specialized modern machinery and reaches the consumer never having been touched by human hands.

In 1847, they created John Dwight and Company and the Cow Brand was adopted as a trademark for Dwight’s Saleratus (aerated salt) as it was called. The standard package at that time weighed one pound. The cow was adopted as a trademark because of the use of sour milk with saleratus in baking.

Based on its popularity, Dr. Church felt there was a larger need for saleratus of baking soda and so he formed a partnership known as Church & Company, doing business under that firm name with his sons James A. Church and E. Dwight Church. He used the ARM & HAMMER brand as his trademark to identify the baking soda manufactured by Church & Co.

In 1896, the descendants of the founders of these two firms consolidated their interests under the name of Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

Today the use of bicarbonate of soda is no longer confined to the kitchen. It is used throughout the house, in every phase of housekeeping and personal hygiene. ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, which was first prepared in a New England village, now is used the world over. Along with the baking soda, they also produce, sell and distribute Close-Up toothpaste, OxiClean, Brillo, Nair and Trojan condoms.

According to the 2012 annual report, they had revenues of $ $2.92 billion with a net income of $349.8 million, which presented 6.3% sales growth. They have 4,354 employees.

On Cable, Reckitt Benckiser ran 849,125 spots in the last 12 months compared to Church & Dwight’s 556,619 spots in the same period. Reckitt Benckiser’s biggest month was August 2012 with 86,857 ads and Church & Dwight ran the most in December 2012 with 82,630 spots.

On the Radio, Reckitt Benckiser takes the lead as well with 197,831 spots against Church & Dwight’s 100,084 spots in the last 12 months. Reckitt Benckiser ran the most in July 2012 with 47,184 ads, while Church & Dwight ran the most in December 2012, when they cleared 29,622 spots.

On Broadcast TV Reckitt Benckiser almost triples Church & Dwight. Reckitt Benckiser ran 1,132,675 spots, while Church & Dwight cleared 482,653 spots in the last 12 months. Reckitt Benckiser’s biggest month was October 2012 with 127,523 spots, while Church & Dwight’s biggest month was December 2012 with 58,439 spots.

Posted: June 17, 2013