Businessweek

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. Segments As of June 30, 2012, the company was organized into two global business units, Beauty and Grooming, and Household Care. It has five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric Care and Home Care; and Baby Care and Family Care. Beauty: This segment offers antiperspirant and deodorant, cosmetics, hair care, hair color, personal cleansing, prestige products, salon professional, and skin care products under Head & Shoulders, Olay, Pantene, SK-II, and Wella brands. Grooming: This segment offers blades and razors, electronic hair removal devices, hair care appliances, and pre and post shave products under Braun, Fusion, Gillette, and Mach3 brands. Health Care: This segment offers feminine care, gastrointestinal, incontinence, diagnostics, respiratory, toothbrush, toothpaste, other oral care, other personal health care, and vitamins/minerals/supplements under Always, Crest, Oral-B, and Vicks brands. Fabric Care and Home Care: This segment offers bleach and laundry additives, air care, batteries, dish care, fabric enhancers, laundry detergents, pet care, professional, and surface care products under Ace, Ariel, Dawn, Downy, Duracell, Febreze, Gain, Iams, and Tide brands. Baby Care and Family Care: This segment offers baby wipes, diapers and pants, paper towels, tissues, and toilet paper products under Bounty, Charmin, and Pampers brands. Customers The company’s major customer includes Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its affiliates. Markets and Distribution The company markets its products in approximately 180 countries primarily through mass merchandisers, grocery stores, membership club stores, drug stores, department stores, salons and in high-frequency stores, and the neighborhood stores, which serve various consumers in developing markets. Research and Development The company’s total research and development expenses were $2.0 billion in 2012. Significant Events In November 2012, The European Commission approved the joint venture between Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited and Procter & Gamble Co. for their over-the-counter (OTC) drug business under the EU Merger Regulation. In February 2013, Procter & Gamble Co. has formally-initiated a strategic partnership with Verix Business Intelligence. This technology partnership is being pursued to further-strengthen and build P&G's capabilities and industry leadership in Business Intelligence (BI). In February 2013, Procter & Gamble Co. and Verix, Inc. have launched a strategic partnership to strengthen P&G's capabilities in the field. The collaboration is supported by P&G's Israel House of Innovation. History The Procter & Gamble Company was founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble. The company was incorporated in Ohio in 1905.