Strategic Analysis of Church & Dwight (Arm & Hammer Products)

Essay by JohnnyB311University, Master's April 2004

download word file, 3 pages 3.8

Downloaded 120 times

"Over one hundred and fifty years ago, in 1846, two natives of New England took the first step toward establishing an industry that has since become of national importance. Baking soda, which is a trade name for bicarbonate of soda, is now found in practically every kitchen throughout the country and is regarded a necessity by millions of Americans. It was first prepared for commercial distribution by two early New Englanders, John Dwight of Massachusetts and his brother-in-law, Dr. Austin Church of Connecticut. Today the use of bicarbonate of soda is no longer confined to the kitchen. It is used throughout the house, in every phase of housekeeping and personal hygiene. ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, which was first prepared in a New England village, now is used the world over."

Current Situation:

Church & Dwight Co., Inc., founded in 1846, is the world's leading producer of sodium bicarbonate, popularly known as baking soda, a natural product which cleans, deodorizes leavens and buffers.

The Company's Arm & Hammer brand is one of the nation's most trusted trademarks for numerous consumer and specialty products developed from the base of bicarbonate.

Products/Specialty Products:

Church & Dwight consumer products can be broken into four categories: deodorizing and household cleaning, laundry, personal care and international. Over half of their domestic products are sold under the Arm & Hammer brand name which includes toothpaste, laundry detergent, and pet products.

International Operations:

Church and Dwight are the world's largest producer of Sodium Bicarbonate, Church & Dwight exports sodium bicarbonate throughout the world from multiple plants in the United States and Brazil. Their subsidiary in Brazil also manufactures various inorganic chemicals, such as sodium sulfide, sodium sulfite, sodium metabisulfite, barium carbonate, barium sulfate and barium chloride.

Environmental Scan:

An external scan of their environment showed that one...