Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is an American multinational consumer goods corporation headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- founders
- William Procter and James Gamble
- headquarters
- Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- industry
- Consumer goods
- divisions
- Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, Baby, Feminine & Family Care
- fortune_500_rank
- 51st
- forbes_global_2000_rank
- 60th
Lore & Background
William Procter, a candlemaker born in England, and James Gamble, a soap maker born in Ireland, emigrated to the United States and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. They met after marrying sisters Olivia and Elizabeth Norris, and their father-in-law, Alexander Norris, persuaded them to become business partners. During the American Civil War, the company supplied the Union Army with soap and candles, introducing soldiers nationwide to its products.
Reader's Guide
Procter & Gamble's significance lies in its transformation from a 19th-century soap and candle maker into a global consumer goods powerhouse. It also shaped modern advertising, sponsoring radio and television soap operas from the 1930s onward. Through acquisitions—including Thomas Hedley Co. Its brands often hold global market leadership with shares exceeding 25%.
Did You Know?
- During the American Civil War, P&G won contracts to supply the Union Army with soap and candles, which introduced soldiers across the country to its products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Procter & Gamble's powers/role?
Think of P&G as the behind-the-scenes architect of dozens of household and personal-care brands you likely use daily without a second thought. Its divisions cover beauty, grooming, health care, fabric and home care, and baby and family care, giving it a remarkably wide footprint across consumer life.
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