IN 1837 two emigrants, William Procter, an English candle maker, and James Gamble, an Irish soap maker, founded a small company in the US. Over a century and a half later the company has become a multi billion pound corporate giant, selling more than 60 brands of health care, laundry, cleaning and beauty products in 140 countries.
The company's brand names, ranging from Oil of Ulay skin cream to Ariel washing powder, have become internationally recognised household products and last year it recorded net sales of 835 billion.
Procter & Gamble employs 100,000 worldwide, 28,500 of whom work in the company's European operation. Although the company's headquarters are in Cincinnati, Ohio, the European market accounts for 30 per cent of sales.
The company, which started its European operation with a British subsidiary during the 1930s, now operates throughout western, central and eastern Europe. Its first European headquarters was established in Brussels in 1961.
The company's plant in Nenagh is its one manufacturing plant in the Republic. It produces cosmetic and skin care products for the Irish, British and European market, employs 430 people and was acquired by Procter & Gamble from another company, Richardson Vicks, in 1986.