Benckiser diversified into consumer goods launched Calgon Water Softener and made a name for itself globally as the Calgon maker.
In 1966 Benckiser developed and launched Calgonit Automatic Dishwashing Detergent and Quanto Fabric Softener.
Benckiser continued its expansion into consumer goods via acquisitions and divestitures. In 1985 Benckiser acquired St. Marc S.A France.
Later in 1990 Benckiser acquired Beecham Household Products in the United States and Canada.
In 2000, Reckitt & Coleman plc (UK) merged with Benckiser NV (Dutch) to form Reckitt Benckiser. Reckitt Benckiser, headquartered in Slough is now the world’s biggest maker of household cleaners.
In 2000 Reckitt Benckiser had around 20,000 employees, produced net revenues of just over ₤3 billion and had operating profit of ₤357 million.
Ten years later, with only an extra 5000 employees, revenue had more than doubled to nearly ₤8 billion and profits had risen by more than five times to nearly ₤2 billion.
Business history of Benckiser NV
