COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO (CL)

Colgate-Palmolive Company, founded in 1806 and incorporated in Delaware in 1923, is a global consumer products company operating in two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. Its products are sold in over 200 countries and territories. The company holds global leadership in toothpaste, manual toothbrushes, and liquid hand soap, marketing oral care brands such as Colgate, Darlie, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, and Tom's of Maine, and personal care brands including Palmolive, Protex, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Sanex, Speed Stick, EltaMD, Filorga, and PCA SKIN.

Home care products include Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Murphy, and fabric conditioner brands like Suavitel, Soupline, and Cuddly. In 2022, Oral, Personal, and Home Care sales accounted for 43%, 19%, and 17% of total net sales, respectively, with Oral Care representing about 82% of Asia Pacific net sales. Through its Hill's Pet Nutrition segment, marketed in over 80 countries under the Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet brands, the company generated 21% of total net sales in 2022.

Products are distributed through traditional and eCommerce retailers, wholesalers, distributors, veterinarians, and direct-to-consumer channels, with Walmart representing approximately 11% of 2022 net sales. The company sources raw and packaging materials from multiple suppliers, though certain key materials come from single or limited sources, and faces intense global competition from multinational and local players, private labels, and eCommerce entrants. Colgate holds numerous trademarks considered material to its business but no single patent deemed significant.

The company is subject to extensive regulation covering product development, anti-corruption, data privacy, and trade compliance, and has faced ongoing but diminishing disruptions from COVID-19, particularly in China and travel retail channels, as well as impacts from the war in Ukraine. As of December 31, 2022, Colgate employed approximately 33,800 people across more than 100 countries, with 86% located outside the U.S., and maintains human capital, diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), and compensation strategies overseen by its Global Human Resources function and Board committees. The company's culture centers on core values of Caring, Global Teamwork, and Continuous Improvement, supported by a 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy focused on reducing plastic waste, achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040, pursuing zero-waste facility certifications, promoting ingredient transparency, and advancing social impact programs such as Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and Hill's Food, Shelter & Love.

Executive leadership includes Chairman, President and CEO Noel R. Wallace and CFO Stanley J. Sutula III, among other officers.