Reckitt Benckiser Group plc is engaged in the production and distribution of household cleaning, health, hygiene, and nutrition products. Headquartered in Slough, UK, the group operates in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and other developing markets, employing over 41 thousand people across the globe.
The history of the Reckitt Benckiser company dates back to the 19th century. It consisted of the merger of 3 different companies at different times.
The company, which started its production with flour and mustard powder in Norwich, England in 1814, started to produce household and cleaning goods in 1956 and created the famous Calgon water softener brand.
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, trading as Reckitt, is an Anglo-Dutch multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, England. It is a producer of health, hygiene and nutrition products. The company was formed in March 1999 by the merger of British company Reckitt & Colman plc and Dutch company Benckiser N.V.
In 1999, the British Reckitt merged with the German company Benckiser and announced that they established the Reckitt Benckiser company.
The company's three main brands; In addition to Nurofen analgesics, Strepsils lozenges, and Clearasil anti-acne creams, Dr. The Company continued to grow by incorporating many brands, including Scholl's, Airwick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Durex, Dettol, Finish, Calgonit, Disprin, Woolite, the vitamin and nutrition company "Schiff Nutrition".
July 2010
Reckitt bought Durex
Consumer product group Reckitt Benckiser bought world-famous condom Durex and SSL International, manufacturer of Scholl brand foot health products, for $3.8 billion.
Bart Becht, CEO of Reckitt at the time, announced that with this agreement, they were aiming for a 36 percent increase in the company's revenues, which they expected to indicate an increase of $4.2 billion on the net income side. Reckitt's 2009 revenues point to $11.8 billion, while SSL's revenue figure for last year is $980 million.
In the statement of the Reckitt company, it was stated that this merger is important in terms of new markets and increasing the company's revenues significantly. It was reported that a growth-oriented strategy will be followed in the Chinese and Japanese markets from now on.
May 2, 2016
Reckitt Benckiser admitted for the first time that some of the room humidifiers they sell in South Korea cause deaths.
Ataur Safdar, the company's director in charge of South Korea, was attacked by the angry relatives of the deceased while he was making a press statement.
Humidifiers with disinfectant properties caused the death of at least 100 people who breathed the air coming out of the faulty production device, and hundreds of people were injured.
Reckitt Benckiser offered to pay compensation to the victims.
July 2017
American spice and sauce manufacturer McCormick & Co Inc has acquired the food division of British consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser, with an annual turnover exceeding $10 billion, for approximately $4.2 billion.
RB Foods had net sales of $536 million last year, accounting for 4 percent of Brits' total revenue.
Reckitt Benckiser also produces various sauces, especially ketchup and mustard, with its RB Foods division. McCormick is acquiring RB Foods, assuming that the solid growth trend will continue, especially in the hot sauce category.
In a statement made by Reckitt, he said that the deal was made on the principle of being debt-free and that they plan to reduce their own debts with the money from the sale.
In April 2017, it was stated in the statement by Reckitt that it was reviewing its strategic options in the ancillary segments to reduce debt. The announcement came after the firm bought baby and child food maker Mead Johnson for $16.6 billion.
March 2022
Reckitt Benckiser is now just Reckitt
As part of the rebranding, the company will continue under the name Reckitt.
Reckitt Benckiser, which brings brands such as Finish, Durex, Dettol, and Lysol together with consumers, decided to continue with the name Reckitt within the scope of rebranding.
Reckitt Vice President of Internal Communications and Corporate Brand Jo Osborn, who made a statement about the rebranding, stated that although they reach 20 million people worldwide with their brands every day, the recognition of the company behind the brands is at a lower level and that they can communicate their corporate goals more powerfully, effectively and consistently with their new Reckitt identities.