07.05.07
14. Sara Lee
Chicago, IL
312.726.2600
www.saralee.com
Sales: $1.8 billion
Sales:
$1.8 billion for household and personal care products. Corporate sales: $15.9 billion. Net income: $555 million for the year ended July 1, 2006.
Key Personnel:
Brenda Barnes, chairman and chief executive officer.
Major Products:
Body care—Sanex, Duschdas, Radox, Monsavon and Prodent; Air care—Ambi Pur; Shoe care—Kiwi and Meltonian polishes, cleaners and wax; Insecticides—Vapona, Catch, GoodKnight, Bloom and Ridsect.New Products:
Ambi Pur 3volution air freshener and Sanex Invisible deodorant.
Comments:
Household and personal product sales were down slightly from $1.9 billion in fiscal 2005, as Sara Lee implements its transformation plan. Western and Central Europe accounted for 67% of sales in fiscal 2006, followed by Asia Pacific (22%) and the U.S. (5%). The remaining portion of the segment’s sales was generated primarily in Africa.Like many other companies, innovation is at the heart of growth. Last year, Sara Lee rolled out Ambi Pur 3volutionair freshener that rotates through three complementary fragrances, changing every 45 minutes. The company developed Ambi Pur 3volutionair freshener after discovering that people stop noticing home fragrance because they get accustomed to the same scent. Consumers were so pleased with the concept that one million Ambi Pur 3volution starter units were sold to UK consumers in the first four months.