Who Owns Kingsford?
Kingsford is owned by The Clorox Company, a publicly traded American multinational manufacturer listed on the NYSE (CLX). Clorox operates Kingsford as their charcoal and grilling fuel brand for outdoor cooking enthusiasts.
Parent Company
The Clorox Company
Founded
1920
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Oakland, California, USA
Who Owns Kingsford?
- Parent Company: The Clorox Company
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: CLX
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsford | The Clorox Company | Wholly owned |
History of Kingsford
- Founded: 1920
- Founders: E.G. Kingsford, Henry Ford
Kingsford's origins trace back to 1920 and a collaboration between Henry Ford and his relative by marriage, Edward G. Kingsford. Ford was looking for a way to use the wood scraps and sawdust generated by his automobile manufacturing plants in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Ford partnered with Kingsford, who managed the timber operations that supplied wood to Ford's factories, to establish a charcoal manufacturing operation that would convert wood waste into charcoal briquettes.
The charcoal briquette itself was not Ford's invention. The briquette process had been developed earlier by Ellsworth B.A. Zwoyer, who patented a charcoal briquette in 1897. However, Ford's operation was significant in popularizing the charcoal briquette as a consumer product and establishing the infrastructure to produce and distribute it at scale. Ford sold the charcoal through his Ford dealerships, introducing the product to a broad consumer audience.
After Ford's death in 1947, the charcoal operation was sold and eventually became an independent company. The brand was renamed Kingsford in honor of Edward G. Kingsford. The Clorox Company acquired Kingsford in 1973, adding it to its portfolio of household consumer brands.
Under Clorox's ownership, Kingsford grew to become the dominant brand in the American charcoal market, consistently holding approximately 80% market share. Clorox invested in product innovation, expanding the Kingsford lineup beyond original charcoal briquettes to include Match Light (pre-soaked briquettes that light without lighter fluid), Competition Briquettes (for longer burns), and various wood chip and chunk products for smoking.
Kingsford's business is highly seasonal, with the vast majority of sales occurring during the spring and summer grilling season. The brand has invested in marketing campaigns to extend the grilling season and encourage year-round charcoal use.
About The Clorox Company
What does The Clorox Company own?
The Clorox Company owns a portfolio of consumer brands including Clorox bleach, Glad trash bags, Brita water filters, Pine-Sol, Formula 409, Hidden Valley Ranch, Kingsford charcoal, Burt's Bees natural personal care products, Fresh Step cat litter, and Tilex bathroom cleaner. The company operates primarily in the United States with international operations in Latin America, Canada, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
Is The Clorox Company publicly traded?
Yes, The Clorox Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker CLX. The company has been publicly traded since 1969, when it was divested by Procter and Gamble following an FTC antitrust ruling. Clorox has no single controlling shareholder, with major institutional holders including Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street.
Who founded The Clorox Company?
The Clorox Company was founded in 1913 in Oakland, California by five businessmen: Archibald Taft, Edward Hughes, Charles Husband, William Hussey, and Rufus Myers. The founders each invested $100 to establish the Electro-Alkaline Company, which produced liquid bleach. The company was renamed the Clorox Chemical Company in 1922.
Where is The Clorox Company headquartered?
The Clorox Company is headquartered in Oakland, California, USA. The company has maintained its headquarters in the Oakland area since its founding in 1913. Clorox operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, and the Philippines.
How many brands does The Clorox Company own?
The Clorox Company owns more than 10 major consumer brands, including Clorox, Glad, Brita, Pine-Sol, Formula 409, Hidden Valley, Kingsford, Burt's Bees, Fresh Step, and Tilex. The company sells products in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Who owns The Clorox Company?
The Clorox Company is publicly traded on the NYSE with a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Linda Rendle serves as Chairman and CEO.
- Founded: 1913
- Headquarters: Oakland, California, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: CLX
Where Is Kingsford Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Oakland, California, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Brands Owned by The Clorox Company
- Brita - German water filtration brand providing water pitchers, filters, and water filtr...
- Burt's Bees - American personal care brand specializing in natural and organic skincare, lip c...
- Clorox Bleach - American brand of household bleach and cleaning products, the leading bleach bra...
- Formula 409 - American multi-purpose cleaner and degreaser brand known for its effective clean...
- Glad - American food storage and waste management brand providing plastic wrap, food st...
- Hidden Valley - American food brand known for its ranch dressing and salad dressings, offering v...
- Pine-Sol - American cleaning products brand known for its pine-scented multi-surface cleane...
Kingsford Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong brand recognition in charcoal and grilling fuel market
- +Integration with Clorox's extensive manufacturing and distribution capabilities
- +Historical heritage and association with Henry Ford and American innovation
- +Comprehensive product range for outdoor cooking and grilling
- +Backed by Clorox's research and development resources
Considerations
- -Competition from other charcoal and grilling fuel brands
- -Dependence on seasonal outdoor cooking trends
- -Need for continuous innovation in charcoal formulations and grilling products
- -Environmental concerns regarding charcoal production and sustainability
- -Market challenges from alternative grilling fuel options
Frequently Asked Questions About Kingsford
Competitors to Kingsford
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Kingsfordoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
The Clorox Company Stock Information
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