Case 35 Church & Dwight

Church & Dwight: Time to Rethink the Portfolio?

A case report prepared for

MG 495 Business Policy

Spring 1 term 2014

February 1, 2014

CHURCH & DWIGHT CASE STUDY

I. INTRODUCTION

A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. Summary statement of the problem: Church & Dwight Co. Inc. is a company that was founded over 160 years ago and has built its reputation on their flagship product name ARM & HAMMER. They are the world’s largest producer of sodium bicarbonate-based products which can be found in 95% of all U.S. households. After the purchase of several other product lines the company is faced with several new challenges created by its rapid growth. The company now needs to reorganize their expanded consumer products portfolio of 80 brands into the existing corporate structure while continuing to seek new opportunity for growth. Another issue facing the company is its small size. How can the company compete for a greater market share with its giant competitors in both the domestic and international markets?

2. Summary statement of the recommended solution: The issues facing the Church & Dwight Corporation are not easy tasks for its board of directors and its management team. The expanded consumer products should contribute to the continuous and steady growth of the company by retaining products that generate more revenue. Penetrating international markets and removing such barriers as transportation costs will help the company gain a competitive edge against the other bigger players in their market.

B. THE SITUATION

The Church & Dwight Corporation was founded 160 years ago and became the world’s largest producer and marketer of sodium bicarbonate-based products in United States. Although its name was not a well-known one, its products were and can be found in variety of consumer products in 95% of all U.S. households (Wheelen & Hunger, pp.35-2). Its primary product...