
Irish Spring is owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL), the American multinational consumer products company headquartered in New York City. Colgate-Palmolive launched Irish Spring in Germany in 1970 and brought it to the United States in 1972. It remains one of the best-selling deodorant bar soaps in North America.
Parent Company
Founded
1970
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Irish Spring | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Wholly owned |
Colgate-Palmolive introduced Irish Spring in Germany in 1970 and launched it in the United States in 1972. Despite the name, the brand has no Irish heritage; the name and the green-and-white striped bar were chosen to evoke freshness.
The brand became famous for decades of "the smell of Ireland" style advertising and for the signature double-striped deodorant bar. Over time the line expanded into body wash, deodorants, and variants such as Aloe, Moisture Blast, and Sport Strength.
What does Colgate-Palmolive own?
Colgate-Palmolive owns a portfolio of consumer brands across four categories: oral care (Colgate, elmex), personal care (Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Speed Stick), home care (Ajax, Fabuloso, Murphy Oil Soap), and pet nutrition (Hill's Science Diet, Hill's Prescription Diet, Prime100). The Colgate brand holds the number one global market share in toothpaste.
Is Colgate-Palmolive publicly traded?
Yes, Colgate-Palmolive Company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol CL. The company has no controlling shareholder, with ownership distributed among institutional investors including Vanguard Group and BlackRock. As of January 31, 2026, there were approximately 801.5 million shares outstanding.
What is Colgate-Palmolive's annual revenue?
For FY2025, Colgate-Palmolive reported net sales of $20,382 million ($20.4 billion), up 1.4% from $20,101 million in FY2024. Organic sales also grew 1.4%. Oral care accounted for 44% of net sales, personal care 17%, home care 16%, and pet nutrition approximately 23%.
Who is Colgate-Palmolive's CEO?
Noel Wallace serves as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. He became CEO in 2019 and Chairman in 2020. He joined the company in 1987 and has led Colgate-Palmolive through a period of pricing-driven growth followed by volume-led growth.
Who founded Colgate-Palmolive?
The Colgate business was founded by William Colgate in 1806 in New York City as a starch, soap, and candle manufacturer. The modern Colgate-Palmolive Company was formed through the 1928 merger of Colgate Company and Palmolive-Peet Company.
What is Hill's Pet Nutrition?
Hill's Pet Nutrition is a Colgate-Palmolive subsidiary that markets premium science-based pet food under the Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet brands. Acquired by Colgate-Palmolive in 1976, Hill's pioneered the concept of veterinary-channel pet food and accounts for approximately 23% of total company revenue. In 2025, the company exited the private label pet food business and acquired Prime100 in Australia.
How many people does Colgate-Palmolive employ?
As of December 31, 2025, Colgate-Palmolive employed approximately 33,600 people across over 100 countries. Over 84% of employees are located outside the United States, with approximately 33% in Asia Pacific, 31% in Latin America, 17% in North America, 15% in Europe, and 4% in Africa/Eurasia.
Does Colgate-Palmolive pay dividends?
Yes. Colgate-Palmolive has paid dividends for 131 consecutive years and increased dividends for 63 consecutive years, making it one of the longest-paying dividend growth stocks in the S&P 500. In FY2025, the company returned $2.9 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate Palmolive | USA | 1980 | Mass market | United states | Unisex | |
| Unilever | United Kingdom | 1923 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Colgate Palmolive | USA | 1898 | Mainstream | Global | All-ages | |
| Colgate Palmolive | USA | 1952 | Mass market | United states | Mens |
Beauty Personal CareOwned by Colgate-Palmolive Company
Liquid hand soap and body wash brand that pioneered the pump-dispenser category in 1980, owned by Colgate-Palmolive since 1987.
Beauty Personal CareOwned by Unilever plc
Global beauty soap and body wash brand owned by Unilever. Launched in 1923 as the world first mass-market beauty soap, now sold in over 100 countries with annual revenue exceeding 1.2 billion euros.
Household Consumer GoodsOwned by Colgate-Palmolive Company
Household cleaning and personal care brand founded in 1898, best known for its dishwashing liquid. Owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company since the 1928 merger.
Beauty Personal CareOwned by Colgate-Palmolive Company
Men's deodorant and antiperspirant brand created by Mennen in 1952, owned by Colgate-Palmolive since the 1992 Mennen acquisition.
Market Positioning: Irish Spring competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Beauty Personal CareOwned by Evyap
Mass-market soap and personal care brand owned by Evyap, sold in over 100 countries with strong positions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Fax is privately owned, unlike Irish Spring which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Beauty Personal CareOwned by Evyap
Men's personal care and grooming brand owned by Evyap, a privately held Turkish personal care company founded in 1927. Gibbs offers shaving products, deodorants, and grooming items primarily in European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian markets.
Gibbs is privately owned, unlike Irish Spring which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Beauty Personal CareOwned by Great Clips, Inc.
Value hair salon franchise brand owned by Great Clips, Inc. and operated through more than 4,400 franchisee-owned salons.
Great Clips is privately owned, unlike Irish Spring which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Beauty Personal CareOwned by Sodalis Group
American soap and body wash brand known for deodorant properties and citrus scent. Owned by Sodalis USA (Sodalis Group) in North America and Unilever internationally. Originally launched by Procter & Gamble in 1955.
Zest is privately owned, unlike Irish Spring which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Beauty Personal CareOwned by Evyap
Turkish brand of men's grooming and shaving products manufactured and marketed by Evyap, known for affordable quality shaving soaps.
Arko is privately owned, unlike Irish Spring which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Beauty Personal CareOwned by Kenvue
American skincare brand producing facial cleansers, moisturizers, and acne treatments for teens and young women, owned by Kenvue Inc.
Clean & Clear is privately owned, unlike Irish Spring which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Discover popular brands and companies in the Beauty & Personal Care category and related searches from other users.

Italian luxury fragrance and grooming brand founded in Parma in 1916, owned by LVMH since 2001. Known for its signature Colonia fragrance and a full range of home and lifestyle products made in Italy.

Turkish antibacterial soap and personal hygiene brand owned by Evyap, one of Turkey's largest consumer goods manufacturers. Activex uses silver ion technology and is sold primarily in Turkey and Middle Eastern markets.

Procter & Gamble's feminine hygiene brand launched in 1983, holding approximately 27% global market share in menstrual pads and sold in more than 100 countries.