The first thing in our daily routine is the red and white striped toothpaste that keeps our breath fresh all day long: Colgate—an integral part of our lives for over eight decades. Its presence might resonate even more deeply for those born in the 80s or 90s.
Remember the times when we got a free toothbrush along with the paste?
But amidst the hustle of everyday life, have you ever paused to ponder the story behind this iconic brand—Colgate Palmolive India Limited?
How did Colgate Palmolive India become the leader in oral care in India?
Let’s find out more about the reason for your smiles.
- History of Colgate Palmolive Colgate Palmolive India Limited
- Colgate Palmolive India Limited – 7th Largest FMCG Company in India
- Colgate Palmolive India Limited: Performance Overview
- Colgate Palmolive Revenue: Q3 2023-2024 Highlights
- Colgate Palmolive India Limited Commitment: Building Brighter Futures Across India
- Conclusion
- FAQs | Colgate Palmolive India Limited
History of Colgate Palmolive Colgate Palmolive India Limited
From ‘1937 to ‘2024, Colgate’s been grinning and winning, proving that their smile game is timeless and cavity-free!
Here is how the most loved paste of Indians kickstarted its journey.
1806-1937: Seeds of Innovation
In the bustling streets of New York City, back in 1806, a visionary named William Colgate laid the foundation.
Who could have known that this would turn into a global toothpaste brand?
His starch, soap, and candle business marked the humble beginnings of Colgate & Company.
A name destined to leave an indelible mark on the world.
Fast forward to 1937, and the seeds of Colgate Palmolive India Limited were sown.
With a mission to spread smiles across the nation, the company ventured on a journey.
A tour of freshness fueled by innovation and dedication.
1937-1970: Spreading Smiles Across India
In 1937, Colgate stepped onto Indian soil.
This marked the beginning of a journey that would change the nation’s oral care forever.
Colgate Palmolive India Limited became a household name by introducing toothpowder and toothbrushes.
They also launched products like Palmolive Shave Cream and Halo Shampoo.
- 1937: Colgate sets foot in India, laying the foundation for a legacy of oral care excellence.
- 1949: Colgate introduces toothpowder and toothbrushes, brightening Indian smiles.
- 1950: Palmolive Shave Cream makes grooming a luxurious affair.
- 1951: Halo Shampoo becomes a heavenly treat for Indian hair.
- 1952: Charmis Cream nourishes and pampers Indian skin.
- 1967: Colgate begins local production at Sewri, Mumbai, strengthening its commitment to India.
1971-1990: Grooming with Care
In the ’70s and ’80s, Colgate Palmolive India Limited introduced grooming essentials.
This included the revolutionary Palmolive After Shave Lotion.
This followed the launch of initiatives like the ‘Young India’ program.
- 1972: Palmolive After Shave Lotion adds a touch of sophistication to grooming routines.
- 1976: Launch of the ‘Young India’ program on oral hygiene for primary schoolchildren.
- 1989: Investment in a cutting-edge manufacturing plant in Aurangabad strengthens production capabilities.
- 1989: Palmolive Extra Care soap joins the lineup, elevating the company’s soap segment.
- 1990: Colgate Gel and Palmolive Shave Foam to cater to changing consumer tastes.
1991-2000: Setting New Standards
The ’90s saw the debut of groundbreaking products. This included Colgate Total and oral pharmaceuticals.
Colgate Palmolive India Limited continued to expand its reach.
- 1994: Colgate Calciguard reinforces the company’s toothpaste lineup, ensuring comprehensive oral health protection.
- 1996: Colgate expands its portfolio with Oral Pharmaceutical products and Axion dishwashing paste,.
- 2000: Colgate Palmolive India Limited captures a wider market with the launch of Zig Zag toothbrush and Herbal toothpaste.
2001-2010: Embracing Digital and Innovating
The dawn of the digital age- Colgate Palmolive India Limited launches its first website.
Furthermore, there were innovations like Colgate Fresh Energy Gel and Colgate Kids toothpaste.
- 2001: Colgate enters the digital age with its first website.
- 2003: Enter Fresh Energy Gel and Kids toothpaste, ensuring smiles for every age.
- 2004: Oral Health Month kicks off, spreading awareness for healthier smiles nationwide.
- 2006: Colgate introduces MaxFresh Gel and 360 toothbrush.
- 2009: Focus on sensitivity and kids’ needs with Sensitive toothpaste and Kids 2+ toothbrush.
- 2010: Colgate further expands its range with Max White toothpaste and Actiflex toothbrushes.
2011-2021: Advancing Oral Care
Colgate Palmolive India Limited continued to evolve with products like Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief.
- 2011: Colgate introduces Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste, providing advanced relief for sensitive teeth.
- 2013: Colgate Palmolive India Limited expands its range with Visible White and Maximum Cavity Protection plus Sugar Acid Neutralizer toothpaste.
- 2014: Colgate innovates with Total Charcoal Deep Clean toothpaste, delivering innovative cleansing solutions.
- 2016: Introduction of Cibaca Vedshakti toothpaste, harnessing traditional ingredients for modern needs.
- 2017: Colgate introduces Super Flexi Black and Star toothbrushes alongside Swarna Vedshakti toothpaste.
- 2018-2021: Colgate continues its innovation streak with products like
Kids 6+ years Motu Patlu toothpaste,
SuperFlexi Sensitive toothbrush,
Pro-Clinical 150 battery-powered toothbrush, ZigZag Neem toothbrush, and more.
2022- Present: Sustainability and Social Impact
Colgate Palmolive India Limited remains committed to making a positive difference in society.
- 2020: Introduces ZigZag toothbrush with 100% anti-bacterial bristles.
And what next?
India’s first germ-kill mouth spray- Vedshakti Mouth Protect Spray.
- 2021: Launch of Visible White and Special toothpaste for diabetics.
- 2024-2025: Colgate embraces sustainability and inclusivity with its 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy.
For over eight decades, Colgate Palmolive India Limited has been perfecting the art of smiles and sustainability.
Colgate Palmolive India Limited – 7th Largest FMCG Company in India
| Basis | Details |
| Establishment | 1937 |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Managing Director and CEO | Prabha Narasimhan |
| Brands | Colgate and Palmolive Naturals |
| Subsidiaries | Colgate has multiple subsidiaries that operate across 200 countries |
| Products | Toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwashes & rinses prescription products, body lotions, Palmolive naturals shampoos, conditioners, body washes, soaps, etc. |
Here are the key details of Colgate Palmolive India Limited:
- Colgate Palmolive India Limited Establishment: Colgate Palmolive India was established in 1937.
- Colgate Palmolive India Limited Headquarters: Colgate Palmolive India is located in Mumbai, India.
- Colgate Palmolive India Limited Owner– Prabha Narasimhan serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Colgate Palmolive India Limited.
- Colgate Palmolive Brands: Colgate and Palmolive Naturals
- Colgate Palmolive Subsidiaries– Some of Colgate-Palmolive’s subsidiaries include Colgate-Palmolive (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (America), Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Argentina S.A., Colgate-Palmolive A/S in Denmark, and many more spanning across in almost 200 countries.
- Colgate Palmolive Products:
- Oral care: Colgate toothpaste, toothbrushes, toothpowder, mouthwashes, oil-pulling products, etc. Some of the popular brands are Colgate Total, Colgate MaxFresh, Colgate Sensitive, Colgate Vedshakti, etc.
- Personal care: Palmolive Naturals shampoos, conditioners, body washes, soaps, etc. Some of the popular variants are Palmolive Aloe Vera, Palmolive Milk & Honey, Palmolive Extra Care, etc.
Colgate Palmolive India Limited: Performance Overview
| Metric | Amount |
| Market Cap | ₹ 69,967 Cr |
| PE (Price-Earnings) Ratio (as of 14th Feb) | 54.89 |
| PB (Price to Book) Ratio (as of 14th Feb) | 41.02 |
| Revenue (FY 2022-2023) | ₹ 5,279.77 Cr |
Source- Data shared as of 14th Feb-screener.in.
• Colgate Palmolive Market Cap: Colgate Palmolive India has a market cap of ₹ 69,967 crore (As of February 14th, 2024).
This makes it the top seventh FMCG company in India.
• PE and PB ratio of Colgate Palmolive: Colgate Palmolive India’s price-to-earnings (PE) ratio and price-to-book (PB) ratio were 54.89 and 41.02, respectively (as of February 14th, 2024).
This indicates its strong profitability and growth potential.
• Colgate Palmolive Revenue: In the fiscal year 2022-2023, Colgate Palmolive India reported a revenue of ₹ 5,279.77 crore.
Colgate Palmolive Revenue: Q3 2023-2024 Highlights
Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited saw an 8.2% increase in Net Sales to Rs. 1,386 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. Domestic growth stood at 8.8%.
The Company’s Net Profit after tax rose to Rs. 330 crore for the quarter, up 35.7% from the previous year.
9M 2023-2024 Highlights
For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, Net Sales grew by 8.3% to Rs. 4,164 crore compared to the same period last year.
Net profit after tax for the nine-month period reached Rs. 944 crore, up by 29.1% over the previous year.
Colgate Palmolive India Limited Commitment: Building Brighter Futures Across India
In the heart of India’s efforts for a better tomorrow, Colgate Palmolive India Limited stands tall.
With a focus on education, health, and empowerment, they paint a picture of hope and opportunity across the nation.
Colgate’s Collaboration with Pratham for ‘Read India’
Partnering with Pratham, Colgate contributes to their mission of educating underprivileged children through the ‘Read India’ program.
In the year 2016, Colgate started employee volunteering during weekends in the ‘Read India’ program.
This initiative focuses on enabling children to enhance their language and mathematics skills.
Colgate’s ‘Saksham’ Initiative for Employability
The program, initiated in March 2016, aims to enhance the employability of underprivileged youth through skill development training.
It kickstarted with an enrolment of 55 students at Lucknow.
Colgate’s Contribution to Oral Health Awareness
Colgate India, in collaboration with the Indian Dental Association, launched Oral Health Month (OHM) in 2004. The program aims to boost awareness about oral hygiene.
This initiative offers free dental check-ups and educational programs.
Conclusion
Colgate Palmolive India Limited has been a part of our lives for generations. It continues to innovate and inspire us with its products and values.
It is not just a toothpaste brand but a leader in oral care. We are sure it will continue to do so for many more years to come.
FAQs | Colgate Palmolive India Limited
Colgate Palmolive India Limited was established in 1937 as a subsidiary of the US-based Colgate-Palmolive Company.
The CEO of Colgate Palmolive India is Prabha Narasimhan, who joined the company in September 2022.
Products of Colgate Palmolive India Limited include toothpaste, toothbrushes, toothpowder, mouthwashes, etc.
The headquarters of Colgate Palmolive India is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Colgate-Palmolive is an MNC. It operates in more than 200 countries and territories.
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