Clorox

Clorox. The Clorox Company is a major American global manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products, with its headquarters in Oakland, California. Founded in 1913, the company is historically defined by its first product, a liquid bleach sold under its namesake brand, which revolutionized household cleaning. Today, it operates a vast portfolio of leading brands across several categories, including cleaning, household, lifestyle, and international.

History

The company was incorporated in 1913 by five entrepreneurs—Edward Hughes, Archibald Taft, Rufus Myers, William Hussey, and Charles Husband—as the Electro-Alkaline Company, initially producing a commercial-strength liquid bleach. The product was successfully marketed to industries like the fruit-canning operations in California. In 1914, the consumer product was branded "Clorox," a portmanteau of its main ingredients, chlorine and sodium hydroxide. A pivotal moment came in 1928 when the company was acquired by Procter & Gamble, which significantly expanded its distribution through its powerful sales network; antitrust concerns later forced Procter & Gamble to divest the company in 1969. Under subsequent leadership, including CEO Robert Shetterly, Clorox embarked on a major diversification strategy, moving beyond bleach through acquisitions such as Kingsford charcoal in 1973 and Brita water filtration in 1988. The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw further expansion into food with the purchase of Hidden Valley and KC Masterpiece, and into natural personal care with Burt's Bees.

Products

The company's portfolio is organized into four reportable segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International. Its flagship brand remains a cornerstone of the Household segment, which also includes cleaning staples like Formula 409, Tilex, and Pine-Sol. The Health and Wellness segment encompasses products under the Brita, Burt's Bees, and Renuzit brands. The Lifestyle segment is anchored by food brands such as Hidden Valley, KC Masterpiece, and Soy Vay, as well as Kingsford charcoal. The International segment markets many of these brands, along with regional powerhouses like Ayudín in Latin America and Mistolin in Southeast Asia, adapting products for local markets. The company also maintains a Professional Products division serving the healthcare, foodservice, and hospitality industries.

Operations

Headquartered in Oakland, California, The Clorox Company operates manufacturing, processing, and distribution facilities primarily within the United States, with additional sites in over two dozen countries including Argentina, Canada, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia. Its global supply chain is supported by long-term contracts with third-party manufacturers. Research and development activities are conducted at innovation centers in Pleasanton, California, and other global locations, focusing on new product formulations, sustainable packaging, and digital commerce capabilities. The company distributes products directly to major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kroger, as well as through a network of wholesalers and distributors worldwide.

Environmental and safety record

The company has faced scrutiny and regulatory actions related to product safety and environmental impact. Notably, in 2021, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning about certain disinfectant sprays due to risk of bacterial contamination, leading to a recall. The Environmental Protection Agency has also been involved in evaluating the efficacy and safety claims of its disinfecting products. From an environmental standpoint, Clorox has established goals under its "IGNITE" strategy, aiming for 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by 2025 and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The company reports annually on its progress through frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative.

Corporate affairs

The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CLX. Its governance is led by a Board of Directors chaired by CEO Linda Rendle, who succeeded Benno Dorer in 2020. Clorox maintains a significant presence in philanthropy and community engagement, primarily through The Clorox Company Foundation, which focuses on disaster relief, community wellness, and youth development, often in partnership with organizations like the American Red Cross. The company's corporate strategy emphasizes brand investment, innovation in high-growth categories, and building resilience in its supply chain amid challenges such as global pandemic-driven demand fluctuations and commodity cost inflation.

Category:Companies based in Oakland, California Category:Cleaning product companies of the United States Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange