Consumer Goods

Procter & Gamble Corporate Office

William Proctor and James Gamble were both immigrants and tradesmen when they married sisters in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their new father-in-law, Alexander Norris, convinced the two to become business partners. Procter & Gamble (P&G) was created in 1837.

During the American Civil War they had contracts to supply the union army with soap and candles.

In the 1880’s the company began to market a new product: a soap that floated in water named Ivory.

At that point P&G began to build factories and facilities all over the United States as the demand had outgrown the capacity of the original Cincinnati facilities.

In 1911 the company introduced Crisco, a shortening made from vegetable oils which was an alternative to lard.

In the 1940’s P&G began to branch out into new areas and introduced Tide detergent and Prell shampoo. In 1955 they introduced Crest toothpaste, and Charmin in 1957.

They were the pioneer of disposable diapers with the Pampers brand.

In 2005 P&G announced their acquisition of Gillette. This formed the largest consumer goods company in the world, placing Unilever in second place.

Today P&G is part of the S&P 500, is #15 on Fortune’s list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, has 121,000 employees, and had $84.17 billion in revenue in 2013.

Procter & Gamble

During the American Civil War they had contracts to supply the union army with soap and candles.

In the 1880’s the company began to market a new product: a soap that floated in water named Ivory.

History

At that point P&G began to build factories and facilities all over the United States as the demand had outgrown the capacity of the original Cincinnati facilities.

In 1911 the company introduced Crisco, a shortening made from vegetable oils which was an alternative to lard.

In the 1940’s P&G began to branch out into new areas and introduced Tide detergent and Prell shampoo. In 1955 they introduced Crest toothpaste, and Charmin in 1957.

They were the pioneer of disposable diapers with the Pampers brand.

In 2005 P&G announced their acquisition of Gillette. This formed the largest consumer goods company in the world, placing Unilever in second place.

Today P&G is part of the S&P 500, is #15 on Fortune’s list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, has 121,000 employees, and had $84.17 billion in revenue in 2013.

Toshiba Corporate Office

Toshiba Corporation was founded in 1939 as the Tokyo Shibaura Electric K.K. with the merger of Shibaura Seisaku-sho and Tokyo Denki, both founded in the late 1800s.

The company changed its name to the Toshiba Corporation in 1978.

Toshiba’s products and services include information technology, communications equipment, electric components, household appliances, medical equipment, office equipment, lighting and logistics, and power systems.

The company has made many important acquisitions, including I.B.M.’s point-of-sale business in 2012.

In 2010, Toshiba was the world’s fifth largest personal computer vendor, as measured by revenues. The same year, it was the fourth-largest manufacturer of semiconductors by revenues.

Toshiba

Toshiba Corporation was founded in 1939 as the Tokyo Shibaura Electric K.K. with the merger of Shibaura Seisaku-sho and Tokyo Denki, both founded in the late 1800s.

The company changed its name to the Toshiba Corporation in 1978.

History

The company has made many important acquisitions, including I.B.M.’s point-of-sale business in 2012.

In 2010, Toshiba was the world’s fifth largest personal computer vendor, as measured by revenues. The same year, it was the fourth-largest manufacturer of semiconductors by revenues.

Samsung Corporate Office

Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung as a small trading company in 1938 in Seoul, South Korea.

Throughout the next thirty years, Samsung diversified into several different areas, including retail, securities, insurance, textiles, and food processing.

In the late 1960s, it entered the electronics industry and ten years later the shipbuilding industry. These last two industries would prove to be its largest growth industries.

Samsung started to globalize in the 1990s and electronics have become its principal income source.

Samsung now has several large subsidiaries, most notably Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest information technology company, Samsung Heavy Industries, which is the world’s second-largest shipbuilder, and Samsung Engineering, which is the world’s 13th largest construction company.

Samsung had $170.65 billion in revenue in 2015, as well as employing almost 400,000 people.

The company has recently experienced severe problems with their Galaxy Note 7 mobile phones. Numerous complaints about the phone catching fire while recharging the battery caused the company to issue replacement phones. However, in early October of 2016, the company announced that it had not only stopped sending replacement phones due to continued fire issues but that they have stopped production of this popular model altogether until they resolve the issue.

No comment from the company as to when the issue might be resolved or what they plan to do with the millions of phones already sold.

The company has also received thousands of complaints regarding ice maker and freezer problems with a variety of refrigerator models. There is currently a class-action lawsuit over this matter since Samsung has been unresponsive.

Samsung headquarters in the US are located in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey.

Samsung

Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung as a small trading company in 1938 in Seoul, South Korea.

Throughout the next thirty years, Samsung diversified into several different areas, including retail, securities, insurance, textiles, and food processing.

History

In the late 1960s, it entered the electronics industry and ten years later the shipbuilding industry. These last two industries would prove to be its largest growth industries.

Samsung started to globalize in the 1990s and electronics have become its principal income source.

Samsung had $170.65 billion in revenue in 2015, as well as employing almost 400,000 people.

No comment from the company as to when the issue might be resolved or what they plan to do with the millions of phones already sold.

Samsung headquarters in the US are located in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey.

MetLife Corporate Office

The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or MetLife for short began in 1863 as the National Union Life and Limb Insurance Company.

In 1868, the company name was changed to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and the company began to focus on life insurance.

By 1909, MetLife was the largest life insurer in the US.

By 1930, the company insured 20% of the US and Canadian populations.

In 1998, the company changed from a customer owned corporation to a publicly owned one. This was followed by an IPO in 2000.

In 2005, the company acquired Travelers Life & Annuity.

In 2010, the company purchased American Life Insurance Company (Alico) from AIG.

Today, MetLife is one of the largest providers of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs in the world. The company currently serves 90 million customers in 60 countries.

MetLife

The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or MetLife for short began in 1863 as the National Union Life and Limb Insurance Company.

In 1868, the company name was changed to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and the company began to focus on life insurance.

By 1909, MetLife was the largest life insurer in the US.

History

By 1930, the company insured 20% of the US and Canadian populations.

In 1998, the company changed from a customer owned corporation to a publicly owned one. This was followed by an IPO in 2000.

In 2005, the company acquired Travelers Life & Annuity.

In 2010, the company purchased American Life Insurance Company (Alico) from AIG.

Today, MetLife is one of the largest providers of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs in the world. The company currently serves 90 million customers in 60 countries.

Berkshire Hathaway Corporate Office

Berkshire Hathaway was founded in 1839 by Oliver Chance as the Valley Falls Company.

In 1929, the company merged with Berkshire Cotton to form Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates.

In 1955, the company merged with Hathaway Manufacturing to form Berkshire Hathaway.

In 1962, Warren Buffett began buying stock in Berkshire Hathaway. By 1964, he owned the majority of the company, which was failing.

In 1967, Buffett expanded the business into the insurance industry with the purchase of the National Indemnity Company.

In the late 1970s, the company acquired a large position in Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO).

In 1985, Berkshire Hathaway ceased all textile manufacturing and became a holding company.

Today, Berkshire Hathaway owns many popular companies such as GEICO, Dairy Queen, NetJets and Fruit of the Loom. The company also owns substantial portions of Heinz, American Express, Coca-Cola and IBM.

Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway was founded in 1839 by Oliver Chance as the Valley Falls Company.

In 1929, the company merged with Berkshire Cotton to form Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates.

In 1955, the company merged with Hathaway Manufacturing to form Berkshire Hathaway.

History

In 1962, Warren Buffett began buying stock in Berkshire Hathaway. By 1964, he owned the majority of the company, which was failing.

In 1967, Buffett expanded the business into the insurance industry with the purchase of the National Indemnity Company.

In the late 1970s, the company acquired a large position in Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO).

In 1985, Berkshire Hathaway ceased all textile manufacturing and became a holding company.