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Beyond Baking Soda: How Church & Dwight Built a Consumer Empire


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In this episode, we unpack the history and strategy of Church & Dwight, the American consumer goods giant headquartered in Ewing, New Jersey. We trace the company's humble origins back to 1846, when brothers-in-law Austin Church and John Dwight began refining sodium bicarbonate—better known as baking soda—in a simple kitchen.

Tune in to discover:

  • The Origins: How a partnership formed in 1847 evolved into an S&P 500 component with over $6 billion in annual revenue,.
  • Debunking the Myth: The true story behind the Arm & Hammer logo, and why tycoon Armand Hammer is often incorrectly credited with founding the brand despite only joining the board in the 1980s.
  • Strategic Expansion: A deep dive into the company's massive acquisition timeline, including the 2001 purchase of Carter-Wallace brands like Trojan and Nair, the 2006 addition of OxiClean, and the billion-dollar acquisition of Water Pik in 2017.
  • Modern Portfolio: How the company continues to grow with recent acquisitions like TheraBreath and Hero Cosmetics, cementing its status as a leader in household and personal care,.
...more
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