S. C. Johnson and Son
S. C. Johnson (S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.), previously known as S. C. Johnson Wax (and earlier, Johnson Wax), is a global manufacturer of household cleaning supplies and other consumer chemicals based in Racine, Wisconsin. It has operations in nearly 70 countries and its brands are sold in over 110.
It is the largest component of the Johnson Family Enterprises, which also includes the Johnson Financial Group, JohnsonDiversey, Inc. (formerly Johnson Wax Professional and the acquisition of DiverseyLever, comprising primarily the former Dubois Chemical), and Johnson Outdoors.
Unusual for a corporation of its size, S. C. Johnson is family-owned.
1886 The company began when Samuel Curtis Johnson, Sr. purchased the parquet flooring business of Racine Hardware Company renamed it Johnson's Prepared Paste Wax Company. Management has since passed down through five generations of the Johnson family; the longevity of this dynasty is itself unusual.
1915 The UK was the first subsidiary of the company was established in High Holborn, London.
1919 New premises in West Drayton were found for the company's UK branch.
1921 Incorporation of the UK branch of the company: S. C. Johnson and Son Ltd
1922 The UK branch of S. C. Johnson became a limited company.
1923 A factory was added to the company's UK premises.
1932 Glo-Coat, a self shining floor polish, was launched.
1935 A new building was added to the West Drayton factory.
1939 The first part of the Johnson Wax Building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opened.
1950 The Johnson Wax Building Tower opened.
1958 Pledge was introduced as the world's first aerosol furniture polish.
1959 Glade range of air fresheners were launched.
1960s Frimley Green, Surrey was the site of the company's new premises.
1968 The company acquired J. Goddard and Sons, a silver and metal polish manufacture.
1970 The name of the UK subsidiary was changed to Johnson Wax Ltd
1984 Cornell University renamed its business school the S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management in recognition of the Johnson family's long generosity to that institution. The UK branch of the company celebrated its 70th birthday.
1986 The UK branch acquired the Brillo Manufacturing Co, manufacturers of the Brillo Pad.
1992 The company bought Drackett, manufacturer of Windex, Drāno and other specialty cleaning products.
1993 The UK subsidiary acquired the Mr. Muscle range of products.
1997 S.C. Johnson expanded its roster of consumer brands when it purchased Dow Chemical's DowBrands division, which included Ziploc, Saran, Fantastik, Glass Plus, Scrubbing Bubbles, and Spray 'n Wash. The company received approval for the deal in 1998 from the Federal Trade Commission by agreeing to sell Glass Plus and Spray 'n Wash to competitor Reckitt Benckiser.
2004 Samuel Curtis Johnson, Jr. died in May and was succeeded by the current Chairman and CEO, Dr. Herbert Fisk Johnson III, who is the fifth generation of the Johnson family to lead the company.
2006 S. C. Johnson and Son employed approximately 12,000 and had estimated sales of $7.5 billion.