The power-point presentation accompanying the webcast highlighted three main categories on the company’s agenda – consistent results, performance drivers and plans to accelerate growth.
Consistent results
Going back as far as 1990, Colgate-Palmolive’s results indicate a consistent ascending trend – growth in all aspects of its finances over the last 20 years.
Net sales, gross margin, operating profit, cash flow, total returns – after-tax, as well as over 20, 10 and 3 years – and dividends paid per common share, all showed considerable growth according to the company results.
For example, over a 20 year period, net sales rose from $5.6 billion pa in 1990 to $15.6 billion pa in 2010 and gross margin over the same time period rose from 44.2 percent to 59.1 percent.
Performance drivers
Colgate-Palmolive identified its performance drivers as being its global presence (consumers in 223 countries), its strong presence in emerging markets, and its oral care products globally, as well as its focus on continuing and furthering the company’s current reach.
Figures show a strong presence in emerging markets in comparison to other companies; GlaxoSmithKline with a 24 percent presence, Procter and Gamble 34 percent and Colgate-Palmolive 50 percent, with only Unilever having a stronger presence at 53 percent.
The company claims to have a very strong, long established presence in the Latin-American and Indian markets.
Plans to accelerate growth
The targets the company has laid out in its power-point presentation to accelerate growth are, to remain sharply focused on existing product categories (oral, personal and home care as well as pet nutrition), continuation of driving proven strategic initiatives and support of competitive advertising.
In continuing to drive proven strategic initiatives, Colgate-Palmolive claims to be striving towards effectiveness and efficiency; further engagement and innovation to build and grow brands and a leading to win focused attitude.