Reckitt Benckiser plc

Reckitt Benckiser plc (LSE: RB) is a British multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household cleaning products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products. Its brands include Dettol (the world's largest-selling antiseptic), Strepsils (the world's largest-selling sore throat medicine), Veet (the world's largest-selling depilatory brand), Air Wick (the world's second largest-selling air freshener), Calgon, Clearasil, Cillit Bang, Durex and Vanish. It has operations in over 60 countries and its products are sold in over 180 countries.

Reckitt Benckiser is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. It had a market capitalisation of approximately £23.2 billion as of 23 December 2011, the 20th-largest of any company with a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

Colman's was founded in 1814 when Jeremiah Colman began milling flour and mustard in Norwich, England.Reckitt & Sons started in 1840 when Isaac Reckitt rented a starch mill in Hull, England. He diversified into other household products and in due course passed on his business to his four sons. Reckitt & Sons was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1888. In 1938 Reckitt & Sons merged withJ&J Colman to become Reckitt & Colman Ltd. The company made several acquisitions, including the Airwick and Carpet Fresh brands (1985), the Boyle-Midway division of American Home Products (1990), and the Lehn & Fink division of Sterling Drug (1994). Reckitt & Colmansold the Colman's food business in 1995 but still has some food brands.