The $9.9-billion FMCG major operates in more than 200 countries and handles production, distribution and provision of household, health care and personal products, such as soaps, detergents, and oral hygiene products (including toothpaste and toothbrushes).

In 1806, William Colgate, himself a soap and candle maker, opened up a starch, soap, and candle factory in New York City under the name of William Colgate & Company.

In 1857, William Colgate died and the company was reorganised as Colgate & Company under the management of Samuel Colgate, his son.

In 1928, Palmolive-Peet bought the Colgate Company to create the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company. In 1953 the company was rechristened Colgate-Palmolive Company.

The Indian arm of the company announced a net profit of Rs 55.62 crore (Rs 556.2 million) for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, a 10 per cent growth over the corresponding period a year-ago.

Its total revenue rose to Rs 412.73 crore (Rs 4.12 billion) for the latest quarter from Rs 360.6 crore (Rs 3.6 billion) in the same period a year-ago.

Image: Palmolive dishwashing detergent is seen on display at Tower Market in San Francisco, California.