Church & Dwight Adds Orange Glo to Product Mix

Church & Dwight Co. Inc., which manufactures Arm & Hammer household products, agrees to buy cleaning products maker Orange Glo International for $325 million. Orange Glo, a privately-held household cleaning products manufacturer, sells OxiClean, Kaboom and Orange Glo Hardwood Floor Care, among other items.

It reported sales of nearly $200 million in the fiscal year that ended January 1, 2006. "This transaction brings to our company a franchise that has developed great consumer loyalty and is consistent with our growth strategy of strengthening our businesses by adding leading brands in areas of high growth potential," says James R. Craigie, Church & Dwight president and chief executive officer.

Church & Dwight plans to operate Orange Glo as a separate business unit but expects to achieve more than $20 million in cost efficiencies by mid-2008 by consolidating operations. According to David Appel, Orange Glo International chairman, "The actions...are the result of a long and careful process of self assessment and strategic review to identify the best way to maximize value, while balancing the interests of the corporation's constituencies."