Sales: $11.3 billion

Key Personnel: Nicandro Durante, chief executive officer; Kris Licht, chief executive officer designate; Jeff Carr, chief financial officer; Volker Kuhn, president, hygiene; Ranjay Radhakrishnan, chief human resources officer; Angela Naef, chief R&D officer; Sami Naffakh, chief supply officer; Filippo Catalano, chief information and digitalization officer; Fabrice Beaulieu, chief marketing, sustainability and corporate affairs officer

Major Products: Hygiene—Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Finish, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein, Vanish, Woolite; Health—Airborne, Clearasil, Dettol, Queen V, Veet

New Products: Dettol Cool, Dettol Laundry Sanitizer 4in1 Pods, Dettol Botanicals, Air Wick Active Fresh, Air Wick Vibrant, Finish Ultimate Plus All-In-One, Vanish Action Pink, Finish Ultimate Plus All-in-One, Lysol Air Sanitizer
Comments: Corporate sales rose 9.2%. By category, health accounted for 42% of sales, just ahead of hygiene (41%). Nutrition makes up the rest of business sales.

Health sales soared 18.6% on the strength of OTC brands, VMS and its intimate wellness portfolio, with a stable performance from the Dettol Germ Protection portfolio, too. Dettol is the No. 1 disinfectant and antiseptic in the world and its global sales are more than 40% above pre-pandemic levels.

Hygiene sales rose less than 1%, as post-pandemic demand for Lysol came back to earth. Volume declined 12.6% driven by high comparatives in disinfection and some market softness in the air care category. Specifically, Lysol sales fell about 25%, but Reckitt noted that sales improved throughout 2023 and finished the year 45% higher than 2019. In fact, Lysol has gained 300bps global market share since 2019. Finish delivered low-double digit growth in LFL net revenue. Growth was particularly strong in Europe and Developing Markets driven by continued focus on category growth through consumer preferred innovation, premiumization and penetration. Air Wick is broadly holding share in a declining market post confinement. Vanish and Harpic showed strong double-digit growth.

For Q1 2023, corporate sales jumped 14.4%, due in large part to forex impact. Hygiene sales rose 8.6%, led by strong growth for Finish, Harpic and Vanish. Finish sales grew double digits in the quarter with broad-based growth across developed and developing markets. The recent launch of Finish Ultimate Plus All-in-One in Europe is performing ahead of expectations. Air Wick sales grew low-single digits, amidst some market softness in the air care category. During the quarter, Reckitt launched multiple innovations including Active Fresh, its first non-aerosol based auto-spray combined with natural and light fragrances. Also new is Air Wick Vibrant, which is said to contain two times more essential oils and anti-fade technology. For Lysol, laundry sanitizer continues to drive category penetration, and disinfection wipes grew behind increased distribution in the US. Net revenue declined by high teens in the quarter, lapping the last of Covid-related comparatives in the first two months of the year. The company said it expects to return to growth from the second quarter. Vanish and Harpic delivered strong double-digit growth benefitting from new innovation launches, including Vanish Oxi Action Pink, which promises “amazing stain removal even at 20°C.”

Health sales rose 17.2%, helped in part, by gains in intimate wellness. During the quarter, Reckitt launched Botanicals, a plant-based formula.

By region, sales in Europe rose 18.6%, North American sales rose 15.6% and sales in developing markets rose 9.2%.

“We have made a strong start to the year across each of our business units and geographies reflecting further delivery from the investments we have made,” said CEO Nicandro Durante. “In particular, our innovation program has seen good early success across multiple launches, including Air Wick Active Fresh and Air Wick Vibrant, Finish Ultimate Plus All-In-One, (and) Dettol long-lasting germ protection platform.”

In April, Reckitt announced that Kris Licht, current president of the Health GBU, will succeed Durante as CEO. Having played a pivotal role in both the transformation strategy and the significant turnaround of Reckitt’s health GBU over the last three years, Durante says Licht is the right leader for the next part of Reckitt’s journey. “I look forward to working with Kris to deliver a seamless and uninterrupted transition,” Durante said.

The latest creation at Lysol is an air sanitizer.

Sales: $6.4 billion

Note: $6.4 billion hygiene and home care products. Corporate sales: $16.4 billion

As a leading player in health and hygiene, Reckitt Benckiser has been front and center in the fight against COVID-19. In March, the US business launched a public health information campaign assessing and evaluating COVID-19 claims. The idea behind www.covid-19facts.com is to correct misinformation, challenge misperceptions and debunk common myths.

“As a company that exists to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world, we have a responsibility to counteract the myths and misinformation in the public domain,” explained Dr. Bruce Charlesworth, chief medical officer, health and hygiene. In related news, in the early days of the pandemic, RB donated more than $6.5 million worth of products and money to China. But the big news came last month when the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved two products to be effective against SARS-CoV-2: Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist.

“EPA is committed to identifying new tools and providing accurate and up-to-date information to help the American public protect themselves and their families from the novel coronavirus,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “EPA’s review of products tested against this virus marks an important milestone in President Trump’s all-of-government approach to fighting the spread of COVID-19.”

Last year, corporate sales rose 2%, but hygiene and home care product sales increased 4.1%. In North America, Lysol had a strong second half and led growth in the region. Finish also delivered a good performance, but the gains were slightly offset by weakness in the Air Wick brand. In Europe, sales of Finish were up following the launch of Finish Quantum Ultimate and the eco product range.
Sales within developing markets rose due to broad-based growth across RB’s Powerbrands. Harpic got a lift from the introduction of premium liquid, as well as its ongoing campaign in India around toilets and water sanitation. Lizol sales rose following the launch of its cement surface cleaner. Vanish and Finish also delivered strong growth. RB noted that ecommerce sales continued to rise, contributing 4% to hygiene and home care product sales.

In Q1 2020, RB’s sales jumped 12.3%, as the company’s health and hygiene brands were in demand. Sales within the hygiene unit rose 10.9%, with double digit gains in North America, Europe/ANZ and Latin America. The health business posted sales gains of 13.1%, driven by strong demand for Dettol and Lysol. With stay-at-home orders in place in much of the world, e-commerce sales jumped more than 50%. As a result, the company expects better-than -expected 2020 results.

“We are living in unprecedented times. Our compass, purpose and fight have never been more relevant,” observed CEO Laxman Narasimhan. “As we announced in February, our purpose is to protect, heal and nurture in our relentless pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world.”

That’s certainly true, but RB has an aggressive launch schedule in 2020. New products include Dettol Cool 2X, which removes 99.9% of odor-causing germs, plus 2X activated menthol. Also new is Lysol laundry sanitizer and Finish Oxi Advance, which features an improved formulation with new benefits, including color protection, odor removal and stain removal—even in cold water.

This month, Volker Kuhn takes over as chief transformation officer, responsible for driving productivity, new business solutions, strategy and growth opportunities. Prior to joining RB, Kuhn spent 26 years at Procter & Gamble, where most recently he served as VP-fabric care, Europe and global platform lead for single dose detergents.

Sales: $6.4 billion for hygiene home products.
Corporate sales: $16.8 billion.

Corporate sales rose 3% last year, helped along by gains in developing markets. RB notes that at the beginning of the decade, developing markets accounted for just 25% of sales; in 2018, that percentage climbed to 40%.

The Hygiene Home business was revamped last year to focus exclusively on the household sector. This improved focus helped the business speed up innovation, create more opportunities to invest in its brands and sharpen its go-to-market focus, according to RB.

The hygiene home business benefitted from strong key brand performances in developing markets, led by gains in Brazil and India, RB’s two largest developing markets. Brazil got a lift from major brands such as SBP (pest control), Veja (surface care) and Vanish, while in India, Harpic sales rose on the strength of new Swachh Bharat and social awareness programs.

Still, developed markets accounted for 75% of sales last year. Good results in North America were offset by weakness in Europe, which was due to significant pricing pressure in the first half of 2018. In fact, net revenue declined 1% last year to $5.7 billion.

The hygiene home business is focused on sales and profits, of course, but company executives insist that strong purpose-led brands that fight social causes with innovative solutions give RB great penetration potential in high-margin categories. Other priorities include exploiting digital platforms to unlock emerging markets; focusing on low-penetration, higher-growth categories; expanding e-business opportunities and continued investing.

North America got a lift from a strong year from Lysol, while Finish, Air Wick and Vanish all delivered good growth behind innovative new products like Finish Quantum Ultimate Clean & Shine and Air Wick Essential Mist diffuser.

For the first quarter of 2019, corporate sales rose 1%, as declines in North America and Europe were offset by gains in developing markets. Hygiene home care sales increased 2% thanks to strong performances from Vanish, Harpic and Finish, which were slightly offset by weakness in Air Wick and Lysol.

CEO Rakesh Kapoor will retire at the end of the year. A successor has not been named. Kapoor is credited with transforming RB from a household cleaning business to a leader in consumer health and hygiene.

Sales: $7.9 billion for home and hygiene products.
Corporate sales: $14.4 billion.

To your health! It’s not a toast; it’s a game plan. RB’s June 2017 acquisition of Mead Johnson Nutrition underscores the company’s move toward the human health category. Now, RB’s businesses are split into two segments: consumer health and hygiene. As part of the reorganization, Rakesh Kapoor is president of the health business, as well as CEO of the Group. Rob de Groot, who has nearly 30 years of experience at RB, leads the hygiene home business unit.

The company calls the new alignment RB 2.0, and says it has five guiding principles:

• Frontline obsession: devolving responsibility to in-country teams, to serve consumers and customers better;
• Category focus and expertise; building out differentiated models to suit the needs of each category;
• Entrepreneurship and ownership; encouraging initiative and new ideas;
• Ready to disrupt; creating new categories, exploiting technology and new channels and developing new models; and
• Radical simplification; creating a more focused and agile organization.

But a new formation isn’t always the best defense. A serious cyber attack, which hit RB and other companies on June 27, 2017, disrupted manufacturing capacity, logistics and go-to-market operations in the third quarter.

By region, sales in Europe and North America (58% of sales) rose 4%. Results in North America were flat, but RB said Lysol saw robust growth, driven by the launch of a laundry sanitizer and toilet bowl cleaner. Russia posted double-digit gains due, in part, to the success of Finish dishwashing detergent. However, the rest of the region had a tough year due to the cyber attack and weakness in the Scholl franchise.

Sales in developing markets (28% of sales) rose 6%, but the company was expecting better results, due to the rising middle class. Growth was hindered by weakness in South Korea, where RB continues to face fallout over the sale of a humidifier disinfectant that killed about 100 people and left hundreds with lung damage. Political unrest in the Middle East hurt sales, especially in the second half and a challenging Brazil market remained in place. Still, the business did have successes, as China delivered strong double-digit growth thanks, in part, to the launch of a Finish formula specifically designed for tabletop dishwashers. South Africa and Turkey also turned in good gains.

The remaining percentage of sales is devoted to health care products.

By category, hygiene sales rose 6% due to broad-based gains, especially in emerging markets, where the introduction of SiTi Shield, billed as a protective ecosystem against pollution, debuted. Finish had a strong year, especially in the US with the introduction of the next-generation Quantum tablets. RB also gave a shout out to Veet and Harpic.

Home care sales increased 2%, due to forex effects. The company said Air Wick is under pressure in the US and Vanish had a tough year, due in large measure to retailer delisting in South Korea.

Despite the challenges, RB noted that several consumer megatrends bode well for the future:

• People are living longer, putting an emphasis on health, wellness and wellbeing;
• Incomes are rising, with the middle class expected to reach 4.2 billion by 2022;
• People are proactive about health—self-care is the new frontier of healthcare;
• Lives are busier than ever—so consumers see easily accessible OTC products and effective hygiene and personal grooming products; and
• A connected world generates more data—leading to tailored offerings and increased engagement.

In personnel moves, Chris Sinclair replaced Adrian Bellamy as chairman in March.

For the first quarter, sales soared 23% due to the acquisition of Mead Johnson Nutrition. Hygiene home sales rose 4% on a like-for-like basis, driven by a combination of improved in-market execution, a seasonal boost for Lysol’s US sales and the successful introductions of Finish and Air Wick SKUs.

Sales: $6.5 billion

Nineteen powerbrands—including Harpic, Finish and Dettol—continue to power RB, which derives more than 80% of sales from these leading brands.

The group’s geographical segments are made up of ENA (Europe, Russia/CIS, Israel, North America, Australia and New Zealand) and DvM (North Africa, Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Japan, South Korea and ASEAN). Sales in ENA rose 10% due, in part, to the popularity of Finish in North America, and Harpic Waves and Air Wick Pure in Germany, the UK, France, Spain and Australia.

DvM sales jumped 14%, although like-for-like sales were weighed down by suits over deadly sterilizers that were sold in South Korea. Oxy Reckitt Benckiser sold a disinfectant designed for humidifiers, but the Oxy system was linked to more than 100 deaths last year. In South Asia, the popularity of Dettol and Harpic helped India post strong gains despite the demonetization policy that plagued the country in Q4. Sales in China rose sharply thanks, in part, to a robust e-commerce channel which accounted for 30% of RB’s sales in the country. Indonesia and Thailand also posted good results. The weak links within DvM were Brazil, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Home care sales increased 7%, led by Vanish, the world’s No. 1 fabric treatment; as well as Calgon, the No. 1 water softener and Air Wick, the No. 2 air care brand. The introduction of Air Wick Pure boosted sales, but a decline in Vanish sales was blamed on the tragic events in South Korea.

Although not in Happi’s field, no discussion of RB can neglect the $16.6 billion acquisition of Mead Johnson, a leader in infant and children’s nutrition. It fits well with RB’s stated purpose: “to provide people with innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes.”

Sales: $13.0 billion

Corporate sales were up 5%, driven by results in emerging markets such as India and China. At the same time, however, Brazil and parts of ASEAN were challenging, according to company executives.

Sales within the hygiene unit (41% of corporate sales) fell 3%. Sales of pest control products such as Mortein and SBP were mixed, as sales were strong in Brazil and Australia, but offset by weakness in India. Finish, too, turned in mixed results, as strong gains in the UK and emerging markets were offset by weakness in the US. Sales of Dettol and Harpic were up, helped along by the rollout of Dettol Squeezy hand wash and Harpic bathroom cleaner in India.

Health care accounted for 33% of sales. The unit posted a 10% increase in sales with exceptional results throughout Europe and North America, as well as number of developing markets. Reckitt Benckiser said all of its health powerbrands contributed to the growth. New products providing a lift included Amopé, a foot care line that was launched in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Sales of home care products (19%) fell 7%, due to negative exchange rates and a lack of big innovation. Helping somewhat was the second half rollout of Air Wick Pure and Wax Melts. Further hurting results was the weak laundry detergent and fabric softener market in southern Europe.

For Q1, 2016, RB’s corporate sales rose 4%. Health care sales increased 11%, hygiene sales improved 1% and home care sales were flat. By region, Europe and Australia/New Zealand posted good gains, but the US and Russia were impacted by anticipated retailer destocking. Among developing markets, RB reported continued strong growth in India and China, but Brazil results were down. Africa managed to post modest gains despite difficult macro conditions.

“We had a good start to the year despite continued challenging market conditions,” said CEO Rakesh Kapoor. “We are pleased to see growth across both developed and developing markets as we pursue our strategy of focusing on the health and hygiene powerbrands in our key powermarkets, supported by continued investment in innovation.”

In June, RB temporarily licensed K-Y lubricants in the UK to a British unit of Germany’s Stada. The move clears the way for Reckitt Benckiser’s purchase of the brand from J&J. In 2015, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked the acquisition of K-Y by Reckitt, noting that it could reduce competition for personal lubricants, as the company already owns Durex. CMA required Reckitt to license the brand for eight years.

With a strong balance sheet and an eye for growth, RB is on the lookout for acquisitions. Last month, the company was said to be in the running for Perrigo, a private label OTC drug maker. Other companies said to be interested in the Irish company are P&G and J&J. For the full year, RB expects sales to rise 4-5%, with moderate margin expansion.

Sales: $6.6 billion

Clean is the focus at RB these days, as the company spun off its pharma unit to focus on personal health (such as OTC products) hygiene and home care. But currency fluctuations forced corporate sales down 4% to nearly $10.8  billion. Sales of hygiene products, dropped 5% to $4.4 billion and home care sales fell 8% to $2.2 billion.

On a like-for-like basis, hygiene sales rose 3% and accounted for 43% of corporate sales. RB points out it is the No. 1 player in the global surface care category with leading positions across disinfectant cleaners, multipurpose cleaners, lavatory care and specialty cleaners. Lysol is the No. 1 brand in North America and Dettol is the No. 1 brand outside North America.

Sales of home care products, which accounted for 21% of sales, rose 1% like-for-like. Calgon is the No. 1 water softener brand, Woolite is No. 2 in garment care and Air Wick is No. 2 in air care. RB calls Vanish, “the undisputed world leader in fabric treatment;” whatever that means.

In December, RB demerged its pharmaceutical business to focus on being a global leader in the health, hygiene and home categories. The pharma business, now known as Indivior, trades on the London Stock Exchange as an independent company.
Earlier this year, RB launched Project Supercharge, a program designed to restructure operations and prune costs to deal with slowing sales across markets. This will include less travel by executives, manufacturing rationalization and even reduced use of office stationery. The company expects Project Supercharge will drive margin expansion and cost savings of £100-150 million in 2015.

For the first quarter of 2015, sales rose 1% on a reported basis to about $3.4 billion (sales were up 5% like-for-like). Hygiene sales rose 1% as reported to $1.4 billion million, but home care sales fell 7% to $645 million.

“Our focused strategy is paying off and has delivered a good Q1 against a backdrop of stable developed markets and mixed emerging markets,” said Rakesh Kapoor, chief executive officer. “A strong and broad-based performance from our Consumer Health brands continues to deliver growth and outperformance, aided by a strong flu season. In Hygiene, Dettol, Lysol and Harpic performed well offset elsewhere by tough market conditions.”

Kapoor went on to say that Project Supercharge has been fully embraced by the organization creating a more efficient and effective RB, and will deliver sustainable cost savings.

Sales: $9.5 billion

Sales of hygiene and home care products totaled $9.5 billion. Corporate sales rose 7% to $16.4 billion. Company executives said that the gains were the result of the company’s continued focus on good health, a topic of great interest whether the audience is Millennials in the US, new parents in Indonesia or an old codger in the UK. With that in mind, Reckitt Benckiser offers a range of cleaners to keep homes clean and germ-free. In fact, among its PowerBrands; i.e., cleaners such as Dettol, Lysol, Harpic and Finish, led the way. The company notes that diarrhea is the No. 2 killer of children under five years of age—claiming 800,000 lives a year. The illness is preventable through better hygiene and RB’s goal is to radically reduce the global death rate by 2020.

Similarly, Reckitt Benckiser is focused on 16 “powermarkets”—countries like Brazil, Russia, India and China—where growth opportunities are greatest. In fact, RB operates two emerging market areas in Latin America/Asia Pacific and Russia, Middle East and Africa.

RB’s hygiene business represents 43% of sales and includes brands such as Cillit Bang, Clearasil, Dettol, Finish, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein and Veet. The company notes Dettol (known as Lysol in North America) is the No. 1 disinfectant cleaner in the world and that Finish is the No. 1 autodish detergent in the world. The company also holds No. 1 positions in overall surface care and depilatories. Last year, hygiene sales rose on the strength of Dettol/Lysol sales across all markets, due to the continued expansion and success of the Power & Free portfolio in Europe and North America and the continued success of the Lysol/Dettol hand wash foam in the US, Germany, Korea and China.

Home care accounts for 22% of sales, and includes such well-known brands as Air Wick (No. 2 global air care brand) and Vanish, the No. 1 fabric treatment. Last year, sales were up marginally, thanks to Vanish’s strong fourth quarter results.

In March, Reckitt Benckiser acquired the K-Y intimate lubricant business from McNeil, PPC, a unit of Johnson & Johnson. The brand had sales of more than $100 million in 2013. Later that month, on March 28, the company said it was in talks to acquire Merck’s consumer health care business, a unit that includes Coppertone sun care products. But two days later, RB said talks had ended. The business was ultimately sold to Bayer for $14 billion.

For the first quarter of 2014, RB’s sales declined 6% to $3.9 billion due to currency fluctuations. Hygiene and home care sales each fell 9% to $1.5 billion and $730 million, respectively.

“We have made a robust start to the year and net revenue growth is on track for our full year targets, which we reiterate,” said Rakesh Kapoor, chief executive officer, in a statement. “I’m particularly pleased with how our focus on consumer health is driving growth and outperformance, supported by larger innovation roll-outs.

Additionally, our recent agreement on the acquisition of KY will give us a stronger position in the sexual wellbeing category in key markets of the US and Brazil.”

Sales: $7.4 billion

Corporate sales and net income rose 4% to $15.4 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively. The positive results are nothing new for Reckitt Benckiser, but the vision statement is: “Our vision is a world where people are healthier and live better. Our purpose is to make a difference by giving people innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes.”

No wonder why the company expects health and hygiene sales to account for 72% of sales by 2015 (up from 68% in 2012) and emerging markets to represent 50% of sales by 2015 (up from 44% in 2012). Those concepts dovetail perfectly in the South African dish care market, where a 50% increase in dishwasher penetration since 2008 has propelled sales of Finish.

In June, RB launched a water footprint measurement tool to help people improve their health and hygiene, while conserving water. Company executives said that India is the top priority geographically because it is the country with the biggest impact based on water use, scarcity and the size of the Reckitt Benckiser business there.

“Water is an increasingly critical resource around the world and it is vital to our consumers and our business,” explained CEO Rakesh Kapoor. “Our innovative approach to reducing our water impact demonstrates how our sustainability strategy aligns with the emphasis in our business strategy on health and hygiene and emerging markets. We are determined to grow sustainably, helping people to lead healthier lives, and we made excellent progress in 2012.”

To help RB reach its water target, the company is launching products like Dettol Touch of Foam which is designed so consumers only need to run water to rinse their hands, not to create the lather, saving about 15% of water compared with conventional hand wash products. RB’s sustainability strategy has three targets for 2020: 1/3 net revenue from more sustainable products, 1/3 reduction in water impact across the product lifecycle, 1/3 further reduction in carbon footprint across the product lifecycle.

For the first quarter of 2013, corporate sales rose 7% to $3.8 billion. Hygiene product sales rose 6% to $1.5 billion, helped along by sales of Dettol in Europe and Lysol in the US.

In a review of 2012, sales in North America and Europe rose 1% to nearly $7.6 billion. The company noted that conditions in Europe remained difficult, but hygiene brands like Dettol, Lysol and Finish performed well, thanks to strong demand for Dettol No-Touch in Europe and Finish Quantum and All-in-1 gel packs and tablets in the US. The introduction of Air Wick Filter & Fresh and Black Edition candles provided a lift in the second half too.

Sales in Latin America, North and Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand were up 11% to $3.7 billion, driven by the growth of Dettol Daily Care and Re-energize and Harpic Power Plus.

Sales in Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States, Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and sub-Saharan Africa rose 8% to $2.2 billion. The company credited demand for Dettol, Finish, Harpic, Air Wick and Veet.

Sales: $12.1 billion

In 2011, corporate sales rose 4% to $15.2 billion and net income rose more than 9% to $2.9 billion.

To deliver accelerated growth, RB is focusing on six of the world’s highest growth geographic clusters of consumers. These are built around the emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC), as well as Africa and the Middle East. To maintain that focus, the company recently reorganized its operations into three sections: ENA (North America, Central Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe and Western Europe); RUMEA (Russia & CIS, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey and Sub-Saharan Africa) and LAPAC (North Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand and Latin America).

Why the new emphasis? RB expects emerging markets to account for 50% of revenue by 2016—up from 42% in 2011. Prior to this reorganization, the company noted that 36% of its management was focused on the six billion consumers in emerging markets, versus 64% focused on the 900 million consumers in developed markets.

To further grow in India, in April, 2011, RB spent about $730 million to acquire Paras, a privately-owned Indian company with a portfolio of leading Indian over-the-counter health and personal care brands. But in February 2012, RB agreed to sell the Paras personal care brands to Marico Ltd., one of India’s leading consumer products companies, for an undisclosed amount.

Nearly a year ago, in September, Bart Becht, chief executive officer at RB for 16 years, left and ultimately joined Coty. Rakesh Kapoor, a 25-year veteran of RB, replaced Becht.

By product category, 2011 health care sales increased 37% to $5 billion or, on a like-for-like basis, +8%. In health care, the result was driven by very good growth for Nurofen, Mucinex, Strepsils and Gaviscon, boosted by such new initiatives as Strepsils Warm and Mucinex Fast Max, products that are outside of Happi’s realm. In personal care, Dettol continued to post good gains in both developing markets, and in Europe, where the continued roll-out of the No-Touch Hand Soap System has been very encouraging, the company said.

Clearasil PerfectaWash Automatic Face Wash Dispenser.

In the skin care category, Reckitt Benckiser launched Clearasil PerfectaWash. The new automatic face wash dispenser uses a sensor to dose out the perfect amount product when the consumer places her hands underneath the unit. Clearasil PerfectaWash Automatic Face Wash Dispenser & Refills includes two variants—Superfruit Splash and Soothing Plant Extracts. Both are formulated with maximum strength acne medication (2% salicylic acid). The Superfruit Splash formula features raspberry and cranberry extracts, Soothing Plant includes ingredients that are known to calm and help reduce redness. The refills are also available for purchase individually.

Fabric care sales fell 5% to $2.4 billion, due to continued weakness in laundry detergents and fabric softeners in Southern Europe. The Group continues to invest aggressively to protect the market position of Vanish against other competitor launches and intensive promotional activity. As a result, market share trends are improving, according to the company.

Surface care sales rose 3% to nearly $2.3 billion. There was good growth in Dettol/Lysol and Veja, with a strong result for Harpic being boosted by Power Plus and Max Power toilet liquids.

Home care sales increased 5% to $1.9 billion. In air care, the result was supported by the launch of Air Wick 100% natural propellant spray and Air Wick Freshmatic Odour Detect, with continued good growth in candles. In pest control, a strong season and growth in automatic sprays contributed to the performance.

Finally, sales of dishwashing products rose 3% to $1.4 billion. The performance was led by the continued success of Finish Quantum and All-in-1.

The company noted that 71% of 2011 sales came from its 19 Powerbrands—but that’s down from 73% in 2010.

For the first quarter of 2012, sales rose 4% to $3.7 billion. Home care sales rose 1%, hygiene sales rose 5% and health care sales were flat.

Sales: $13.0 billion

A new era begins at Reckitt Benckiser next month when Rakesh Kapoor replaces Bart Becht as CEO. During his 16-year tenure, Becht turned RB from a plodding home cleaning marketer to a dynamic innovator that has rolled out a range of cleaning solutions such as the new Air Wick 100% natural propellant spray, a new range of aerosols propelled only by fresh air. Innovations like these have enabled RB to build a stable of 19 powerbrands that are sold in nearly 200 countries.

Kapoor, who joined the company in 1987, was appointed to the executive committee in 2006 to lead the global powerbrands strategy and innovation. Prior to that, he led the UK and Northern Europe business to their best financial performance ever. Despite these impressive credentials, Kapoor won’t have to go it alone. Becht will stay on with RB in an advisory role through 2012.

In any case, Becht leaves the company in good shape. Sales rose 9% last year. By region, sales in Europe (which accounted for 41% of sales) fell 1%. Gains came from health and personal care, home care and dishwashing, offset by weakness in laundry detergents. Sales in North America and Australia (27% of sales) rose 2%, helped along by the launch of Lysol No-Touch hand soap system and the Lysol surface care range, Air Wick Aqua Mist and Air Wick Ribbons and Quantum dishwashing formula. Sales in developing markets (22% of sales) rose 18%, with growth coming from all regions. Top performing brands included the Dettol personal care and surface care ranges, Veet, and Air Wick.

The excellent results actually accelerated in 2011, as first quarter sales rose 14% to $3.6 billion, driven by the continued success of Dettol No Touch and expansion into developing markets. Net income increased 2%. By region, sales in Europe rose 17%, sales in North America and Australia increased 5% and sales in developing market jumped 23%.

In another personnel move, in June, RB appointed Heather Allen as executive vice president, category development. She replaces Kapoor. Prior to this appointment, Allen was global category officer, germ protection.

“With net revenue growth of 15% and adjusted net income growth of 12% for the total Group in the quarter (both at constant exchange), these results position us well to achieve our FY 2011 financial targets of 12% net revenue growth and 10% adjusted net income growth (both at constant exchange), and with that to deliver another year of above industry-average growth,” asserted Becht.

Sales: $12.1 billion

Unlike many other companies in The International Top 30, Reckitt Benckiser (RB) posted a gain in sales last year, as revenues rose 18%—and even on a constant exchange rate, sales were up 8%. The gains were driven by RB’s 17 Powerbrands, which accounted for 70% of the company’s sales last year. Powerbrands include Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Clearasil, Dettol, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein, Vanish, Veet and Woolite. Brands like these make RB the world leader in surface care, disinfectant cleaners, automatic dishwashing, garment care and water softeners.

A new powerbrand may be on the way. Late last month, RB acquired condom maker SSL International for nearly $3.9 billion.

“Could be ominous for Trojan, since rival, Durex, will now be owned by Reckitt-Benckiser which is a much stronger marketer than Church & Dwight. Also, Church & Dwight has never managed to develop any real international capability,” said Colin Hession, Colin Hession Consulting.

By product category, health and personal care accounts for 26%, followed by fabric care, 22%; surface care, 17%; dishwashing, 11%; home care, 14%; food 3%; and pharmaceutical at less than 1%.

More specifically, fabric care sales were flat at $2.4 billion. Although Vanish and Woolite provided a boost, these gains were offset by weakness in laundry detergents and fabric conditioners. Surface care sales rose 5% to $2 billion, driven by strong demand for Dettol and Lysol. Dishwashing sales increased 2% to $1.3 billion on the success of Finish Quantum, which was partially offset by weakness in dishwashing additives. Home care sales increased 4% to $1.6 billion thanks to good gains for air care. Health and personal care revenues increased 14% to $3.2 billion.

By region, Europe accounted for 45% of sales. Sales in the region rose 1% last year. The increase was

due primarily to dishwashing, home care and health and personal care. In dishwashing, Quantum provided a lift, while home care got a boost from Air Wick Freshmatic, Freshmatic Mini and motion. In health and personal care, Nurofen, Strepsils and Gaviscon all performed strongly.

North America and Australia represented 28% of sales. In this region, sales increased 7%, with growth coming from surface care, home care, health care and personal care. Demand for Lysol spray and disinfecting wipes boosted growth in surface care, while Air Wick Freshmatic and motion contributed to gains in home care.

Developing markets accounted for 19% of sales and sales rose 16%. Gains were posted in all regions and were driven by fabric care, surface care and health and personal care.

The gains continued into 2010. First quarter revenues rose 5% to $2.7 billion and net income rose 15% to $482 million. Surface care led the way, with sales increasing 7% to $475 million. Home care sales rose 11% to $407 million, helped along by sales of Air Wick motion, further boosted by the launch of Air Wick Aqua Mist.

In other news, on May 1, Salvatore Caizzone was named executive vice president of Europe. Prior to that appointment, Caizzone was senior vice president, Africa and Middle East, based in Dubai, which includes all business in Africa, the Middle East and Pakistan.

Sales: $11.2 billion

For 2008, Reckitt Benckiser recorded total net revenue growth of 13% (at constant exchange) with like-for-like growth of 10%. The company’s corporate sales were $12.1 billion, which includes its food business. The company’s sales in household and personal care topped $11 billion, which includes products sporting highly recognized brand names like Lysol, Air Wick, Woolite, Veet and Clearasil.

Reckitt remains smitten with its powerbrand concept, but in 2008 the company refined its stable to 17 (down from 18 in 2007) by transitioning other brands with the same footprint into them. For example, in the U.S., the company eliminated the Electrasol and Jet Dry brands, rolling them into the Finish range.

While some companies may have scaled back advertising budgets in 2008, Reckitt kept its budget intact even as ad rates were falling. According to chief executive Bart Becht, the company benefitted as a result.

“Our growth has been achieved by ensuring that consumers know about our products and the reasons to buy them,” he stated in the company’s 2008 annual report. “In harder market conditions, we think it is more important, not less, to invest in keeping our brands at the forefront of consumers’ minds. Media deflation has enabled us to get more value…We remain amongst the highest investors in media in the industry, with 12.4% of net revenue ploughed back into advertising our brands.”

With some of the most recognized names in the business, Mr. Becht doesn’t fear house brands. In February, he told The Financial Times, “Private label may be gaining market share, but we are not interested. What is interesting to us is that we are gaining share. Of course it is worrying that supermarkets are trying to get customers to switch to their brands, and that is why we will continue to emphasize the quality that they are getting when they buy our stuff.”

Sales:$9.42 billion for household and personal care products.
Corporate sales: $10.54 billion.

In fabric care, 2007 net revenues rose 5% to $2.5 billion, driven by continuing growth of Vanish Oxi Action Multi and Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White. Calgon Water Softeners grew as a result of higher marketing investment. Woolite Garment Care  benefited from the roll-out of Woolite Color. Excluding the private label business, where the level of activity was reduced in the year, the branded business grew 8%, according to Reckitt.

In surface care, net revenues rose 8% due to the launch of Cillit Bang Grease & Floor and to strong growth for Lysol in  North America and Veja in Brazil.

Net revenues of Reckitt’s dishwashing product group rose 5% due to the success of Finish Quantum  and Finish All-in-1 in Europe and Electrasol 3-in-1 tablets in North America.

In home care, net revenues improved by 16%. Air care grew strongly due to the  continuing success of Air Wick Freshmatic globally and strong growth for Air Wick Electrical  Oils in North America. Pest control growth benefited from a number of initiatives such as Mortein Lantern, Mortein with Dettol and Mortein Professional Indoor Spray, according to Reckitt.

In health and personal care, net revenues  rose 13% to $2.4 billion, with an extra month of  Boots (BHI) in 2007 contributed 5% to the gain, while business disposals deducted 2%. Dettol was significantly ahead in developing markets due to new personal care products such as Dettol Herbal soap and shower gel, according to Reckitt.

Healthcare, including the former businesses of BHI, contributed strongly to the growth Reckitt experienced during the year. Net revenues from the former BHI business, led by Clearasil (as well as Nurofen, Strepsils health products) jumped more than 10% in the 11 months of ownership in 2006. Like-for-like growth in the former BHI business was 10%.

North America & Australia accounted for 28% of Reckitt’s total net revenues in 2007, with sales up 11%.

In developing markets sales rose 15% to $1.9 billion with strong growth across all regions of Asia,  Latin America and Africa Middle East.

In Europe, group sales rose 7%, according to Reckitt.

In the first quarter of 2008, fabric care sales rose 6%, surface care was up 9%, dishwashing was up 7%, and home care sales rose an impressive 11%. The health and personal care unit reported the largest gain, with net revenues up 20%. Reckitt said Dettol grew strongly in developing markets behind extensions to the personal wash range and significantly increased  marketing investment.