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Gillette

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Gillette
Company typeBrand
IndustryPersonal grooming
FoundedSeptember 28, 1901; 125 years ago (1901-09-28) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
FounderKing C. Gillette
FateAcquired by Procter & Gamble in 2005
Headquarters
Boston
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Colman M. Mockler Jr. (former CEO)
ProductsSafety razors, personal grooming products
OwnerProcter & Gamble
ParentProcter & Gamble

Gillette is a prominent American brand specializing in safety razors and personal grooming products, currently owned by the global corporation Procter & Gamble (P&G). Established in 1901 by founder King C. Gillette in Boston, Massachusetts, the brand flourished as a key player under The Gillette Company until its 2005 acquisition by P&G.

During the tenure of CEO Colman M. Mockler Jr. (1975–1991), the company encountered several takeover bids from investors including Ronald Perelman. In January 2005, P&G revealed plans to purchase Gillette, subsequently merging its operations into a division named "Global Gillette." By 2007, this division was dissolved with its product lines integrated into P&G’s Beauty and Household Care sectors.

Gillette’s research and development center along with its manufacturing plant in Boston continue to operate within P&G’s framework, supporting worldwide business activities. Important subsidiaries like Braun and Oral-B remain integral to the brand’s extensive range of offerings, strengthening its position within the personal care market.

Origins and formative years

The inception of the Gillette brand traces back to the late 1800s when salesman and inventor King Camp Gillette conceptualized a safety razor featuring disposable blades. Prior to this innovation, safety razors were essentially shortened straight razors that required regular stropping and honing. Gillette drew inspiration from his mentor at Crown Cork & Seal Company, William Painter—the creator of the disposable Crown cork bottle cap—who encouraged him to develop a comparable disposable product.

Although the idea was born in 1895, it took six years before Gillette produced a functional prototype and secured patent documentation. He faced difficulties in locating manufacturers capable of producing thin steel blades until he collaborated with William Emery Nickerson, a chemistry graduate from MIT. Together with investor John Joyce, they launched The American Safety Razor Company on September 28, 1901. Early funding obstacles postponed production until 1903; however, after Nickerson engineered a new blade grinding machine in 1904 to alleviate manufacturing bottlenecks, sales dramatically increased—from just 51 razors and 168 blades sold initially to over 90,000 razors and 123,000 blades the following year.

In 1904, the company was renamed the Gillette Safety Razor Company and quickly expanded its international footprint. By 1905, it had opened a sales office in London and established a blade factory in Paris; by 1906, operations extended to include a Canadian blade plant, a Mexican sales office, and European distribution reaching countries such as Russia. This early global growth formed the basis for Gillette’s expanding market share and competitive strength within the shaving sector.

World War I era and the 1920s

Between 1908 and 1916, premium pricing restricted growth in razor and blade sales since disposable blades had not yet achieved mass-market penetration; traditional grooming tools like straight razors were still prevalent. This dynamic changed in 1917 when U.S. military regulations mandated soldiers to provide their own shaving kits. Gillette’s compact kit featuring disposable blades outperformed rivals, aided by a military-exclusive case adorned with U.S. Army and Navy insignia. That year alone, Gillette sold approximately 1.1 million razors.

By 1918, the U.S. military officially issued Gillette shaving kits to servicemen, driving sales up to 3.5 million razors and 32 million blades. The widespread adoption of these kits helped establish daily shaving habits that Gillette capitalized on through postwar marketing efforts.

With the expiration of its original razor patent in 1921, Gillette introduced the New Improved Safety Razor and implemented the now-familiar razor-and-blades pricing strategy. Priced at $5, this new model replaced the original razor—which was rebranded as "Old Type" or "Brownies"—and offered at $1 with simpler packaging, making it more accessible and expanding blade sales significantly. Between 1917 and 1925, unit sales grew tenfold.

Postwar growth included inaugurating a manufacturing facility in Slough, England, alongside establishing multiple international subsidiaries that enhanced Gillette’s global presence.

Toward the decade’s conclusion, Gillette became involved in a patent infringement suit initiated by competitor AutoStrop. The conflict was resolved when Gillette agreed to acquire AutoStrop for $310,000 in non-voting shares. However, an audit revealed that Gillette had inflated sales and profits by $12 million over five years—a factor that impacted executive bonuses. Subsequently, AutoStrop demanded preferred stock with voting rights and gained controlling interest upon completion of the merger in October 1930 under Henry Gaisman’s leadership.

1930s and the Second World War

Gillette's market standing suffered considerably during the Great Depression. Throughout the 1920s, the company fell behind rivals in blade production technology and compromised product quality when it hastily introduced the Kroman razor and stainless steel blade in 1930. By 1932, Gillette had to retract the Kroman blade, issue an apology for its defects, and replace it with the Blue Blade. Additional launches in this era included Brushless Shaving Cream and an electric razor, though the latter was soon discontinued due to disappointing sales.

In 1938, Gillette unveiled the Thin Blade, which was lighter and more affordable than the Blue Blade despite similar manufacturing expenses. This product gained traction during World War II, driven by demand for economical goods and shortages of carbon steel. From 1939 onward, Gillette heavily invested in sports marketing following a successful World Series campaign that doubled sales beyond projections. This strategy led to sponsorship of the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, a radio show that later transitioned to television in the late 1940s, increasing brand exposure through premier sporting events such as the Kentucky Derby, college football bowl games, baseball contests, and professional boxing matches.

While competition within the U.S. intensified during the Depression, Gillette’s international operations underpinned its revenue streams. By 1935, more than half of its income originated from overseas markets; in 1938, nearly all of its $2.9 million earnings were generated abroad despite holding only an 18% share of the American market. Expansion in Latin America was facilitated by AutoStrop’s manufacturing facility in Brazil. In the United Kingdom, Gillette consolidated its business under its own name and established a new blade factory in London. The Berlin plant produced 40% of Germany’s blades and controlled between 65% and 75% of that country’s market.

The outbreak of World War II caused widespread disruption to global production as markets closed and enemy forces seized assets. Gillette’s Boston and London factories partially shifted to manufacturing weapons. In 1942, a directive from the War Production Board required Gillette to dedicate all razor production and most blade output exclusively to U.S. military needs. By war’s conclusion, servicemen had been supplied with 12.5 million razors and 1.5 billion blades. Additionally, Gillette contributed to military intelligence efforts by producing covert razor blades for agents, including razors hiding money or escape maps, as well as magnetic blades that served as compasses for prisoners of war.

Recovery from the war and diversification

Following World War II, Gillette quickly expanded production capacity by upgrading key plants in both the United States and England, enlarging foreign facilities, and reopening factories that had been closed during wartime. A new manufacturing site was launched in Switzerland, while blade production commenced in Mexico City. Sales reached $50 million in 1946 with one billion blades sold by 1947. By 1950, Gillette commanded half of the U.S. blade market share. The decade also saw modernization efforts across European factories, including relocating the Paris plant to Annecy.

In 1947, Gillette introduced the Super Speed razor along with the Speed-pak blade dispenser, both designed to improve user safety and convenience. The company broadened its portfolio through acquisitions: purchasing The Toni Company in 1948 (specializing in permanent wave kits and feminine care products), acquiring Paper Mate ballpoint pen manufacturer in 1955, launching Right Guard aerosol deodorant in 1960, and buying Sterilon Corporation—a producer of disposable hospital supplies—in 1962.

Television advertising played a pivotal role in Gillette’s post-war expansion. Beginning TV commercials as early as 1944, by 1950 Gillette allocated $6 million for exclusive sponsorship of the World Series over six years. By the mid-1950s, television advertising accounted for approximately 85% of its total marketing budget. The company also promoted Toni products through shows such as Arthur Godfrey and His Friends and sponsored events like the 1958 Miss America pageant.

While concentrating on domestic demand growth and product diversification within the U.S., Gillette also pursued opportunities in emerging markets across Latin America and Asia. However, Cold War-era restrictions curtailed activities in Russia, China, Eastern Europe, Cuba, and certain parts of Asia. Many nations mandated local ownership for foreign companies to operate; consequently, Gillette formed joint ventures including a 40/60 partnership in Malaysia (established in 1970) and a majority government-owned factory in Iran. Until political upheaval following the 1979 Iranian Revolution forced withdrawal due to hostility toward American firms, this Iranian facility ranked among Gillette’s largest operations worldwide.

The Introduction of Super Blue and Wilkinson’s Market Disruption

In 1960, Gillette unveiled the Super Blue blade, its inaugural coated razor blade and the most notable advancement in shaving technology since the 1930s. Featuring a silicone coating, it offered users a closer and more comfortable shave by minimizing the blade’s tendency to stick to facial hair. Super Blue’s sales surpassed the combined figures of both the Blue Blade and Thin Blade models. By 1961, Gillette commanded approximately 90% of the double-edge blade segment and held a 70% share of the overall razor blade market.

The landscape shifted in 1962 when Wilkinson Sword introduced a stainless steel coated blade that maintained sharpness three times longer than traditional carbon steel blades, including those from Gillette. This breakthrough caught Gillette unprepared, especially as competitors like Schick and American Safety Razor also launched stainless steel blades. Nonetheless, Gillette had previously secured patents on the coating technique used for stainless steel blades, compelling Wilkinson to pay licensing fees.

Gillette strategically postponed its own stainless steel blade release to capitalize fully on Super Blue's profitability but eventually launched Gillette Stainless in August 1963, a full year after Wilkinson’s debut. This postponement led to a decline in Gillette’s double-edge blade market share from 90% down to roughly 70%. Two years later, Gillette introduced Super Stainless (marketed as Super Silver in Europe), crafted from an enhanced alloy, alongside the Techmatic razor, which featured a continuous stainless steel blade reel housed within a plastic cartridge.

The success of Super Blue signaled a transition toward chemistry-based advancements in blade production, born from collaboration between Gillette’s British and American research teams. In response to Wilkinson’s challenge, chairman Carl Gilbert substantially increased investment in research and development, establishing a major facility in Rockville, Maryland, while also expanding operations in England.

Trac II and the Shift Toward Cartridge Razors

Gillette initiated its first twin-blade razor project in 1964 at its Reading laboratory in England under Norman C. Welsh’s leadership. Welsh identified the "hysteresis effect," where the first blade pulls hair slightly before cutting, enabling a second blade to shave closer. Over six years, development centered on the Atra system—two blades arranged within a plastic cartridge with edges facing inward—necessitating an up-and-down scrubbing motion during shaving. Another twin-blade prototype called "Rex" encountered technical challenges and lagged behind Atra.

Although Atra demonstrated superior performance compared to existing razors in trials, marketing concerns arose about consumer acceptance of its unconventional shaving motion. By 1970, as manufacturing neared readiness, Gillette redirected attention to Rex due to its compatibility with traditional shaving techniques. Rex achieved commercial success; consequently, Atra was discontinued and the twin-blade razor was introduced as Trac II in 1971. The Trac II rapidly dominated the premium shaving segment and effectively countered Wilkinson Sword’s Bonded Blade single-blade cartridge razor.

Confronting the Disposable Razor Market

In 1974, French firm Société Bic launched the first disposable razor initially in Greece before expanding throughout Europe. Gillette quickly developed its own disposable model ahead of Bic’s entrance into the U.S. market, initially designing a single-blade version but then shifting focus to integrate a Trac II cartridge within a molded plastic handle. Released as Good News in 1976—prior to Bic's U.S. arrival—Gillette established dominance in this emerging category. The product was marketed under various names worldwide, such as Prestobarba in Latin America.

In Latin America, Gillette adopted a cannibalization strategy by offering multiple versions at different price points: Prestobarba served as the premium option while lower-cost models like Permasharp II (Mexico) and Probak II (Brazil) were priced approximately 10-15% lower. These budget variants featured simpler designs and minimal promotional support to encourage sales of higher-margin products. This approach effectively limited competitor penetration and was later implemented by Gillette subsidiaries across Russia, Poland, Asia, and the Near East.

Despite maintaining leadership against Bic and other rivals, disposable razors’ rising popularity combined with their higher manufacturing costs began eroding profit margins. Initially anticipated to represent only 10% of sales volume, disposables accounted for over 27% of unit sales and 22% of global revenue by 1980. John W. Symons, appointed head of Gillette’s European Sales Group in 1979, shifted focus away from disposables to safeguard profitable cartridge sales. He reduced marketing spend on disposables and partnered with BBDO London to promote blade systems such as Contour. Alongside cost reductions and centralized manufacturing, this strategy increased European profits from $77 million in 1983 to $96 million by 1985.

In 1980, Gillette introduced Atra (marketed as Contour in Europe), a twin-blade razor featuring a pivoting head that quickly became a bestseller in the United States during its first year and eventually led European markets as well.

Acquisitions and takeover attempts

In 1984, Gillette purchased Oral-B Laboratories from Cooper Laboratories for $188.5 million in cash. Two years later, Ronald Perelman of the Revlon Group proposed acquiring 86.1% of Gillette for $3.8 billion, valuing the entire company at $4.1 billion. Gillette subsequently bought back Revlon's shares for $558 million. In 1987, Revlon made two additional unsolicited bids of $4.66 billion and $5.4 billion, both of which were declined by Gillette’s board.

By 1988, Coniston Partners had secured approximately 6% ownership in Gillette and sought board representation to push for a sale, resulting in proxy battles and legal disputes. The conflict was resolved when Gillette repurchased 16 million shares for $720 million, with Coniston agreeing not to pursue control for the next three years.

In 1989, Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, acquired $600 million worth of Gillette convertible preferred stock. Buffett joined the company’s board and committed to holding his investment unless specific conditions arose, thereby reducing the likelihood of a hostile takeover. Concurrently, Gillette launched the Sensor razor supported by a $175 million advertising effort across North America and Western Europe, strengthening its foothold in key markets.

Early to mid-1990s

In 1990, Gillette attempted to acquire Wilkinson Sword’s U.S. and non-European divisions; however, the Department of Justice blocked the deal to prevent market concentration since Gillette already controlled about half of the U.S. razor market. In 1992, the company broadened its offerings with the Series line, featuring scented shaving gels, deodorants, and skincare products designed specifically for men. The SensorExcel razor was introduced in Europe and Canada in 1993 and subsequently launched in the UK and U.S. in 1994. By 1996, Gillette further diversified its portfolio by targeting women and teenage boys with products such as SensorExcel for Women, moisturizers, shaving gels, and body sprays—demonstrating a strategic push to expand its consumer base and fuel growth.

Beginning of the Razor Wars

In 1998, Gillette unveiled the Gillette Mach3, a three-blade shaving system that disrupted the prevailing twin-blade market segment. Developed over five years and protected by 35 patents, this product was backed by a $300 million promotional campaign. The Mach3 and its replacement cartridges were priced approximately 35% above the SensorExcel razor. By 1999, Gillette's market capitalization reached $43 billion, with brand value estimated at $16 billion—accounting for 37% of the company's total worth. In 2000, CEO Michael Hawley was succeeded by James M. Kilts, former CEO of Nabisco.

In 2003, rival Schick-Wilkinson Sword launched the Quattro—a four-blade system that increased its market share to 17%. Although Gillette alleged patent infringement, their claims were unsuccessful. Despite intensifying competition, Gillette maintained roughly two-thirds of the worldwide wet-razor market by mid-2005.

Procter & Gamble acquisition to present

In 2005, Procter & Gamble announced plans to acquire Gillette for more than $50 billion, making P&G the largest consumer goods company globally. The acquisition received approval from the Federal Trade Commission. Post-merger, Gillette introduced the Fusion—the world’s first five-blade razor—between 2005 and 2006. By 2010, Fusion became the fastest-growing blade and razor brand globally to reach $1 billion in annual sales within P&G’s portfolio. That same year saw the launch of Fusion ProSeries skincare products including facial scrubs, cleansers, lotions, and sunscreen moisturizers. In 2012, Gillette released the Fusion ProGlide Styler for facial hair grooming, promoted by ambassadors such as André 3000, Gael García Bernal, and Adrien Brody.

In 2015, Gillette debuted a subscription program called Gillette Shave Club (renamed Gillette On Demand in 2017) while initiating a patent infringement lawsuit against competitor Dollar Shave Club. The legal action faced criticism for revealing vulnerabilities in Gillette’s patents and was perceived as an effort to stifle competition; it was withdrawn two months later following a countersuit from Dollar Shave Club.

By 2019, Gillette collaborated with TerraCycle to launch a U.S.-based recycling initiative accepting blades, razors, and packaging from any brand. In 2020, the company committed to cutting virgin plastic usage by half by 2030 while ensuring all manufacturing facilities achieve zero waste sent to landfill status.

Double-edged safety razors

The inaugural safety razor utilizing a disposable blade was introduced in 1903. Until the original patent expired in 1921, Gillette offered a limited selection of models. Anticipating this expiration, Gillette launched revamped razors across different price points, including the upscale "aristocrat" version. The initial razor's price was reduced to $1, making it accessible to a broader audience. In 1932, the Gillette Blue Blade, recognized by its distinctive blue lacquer coating, gained widespread recognition. Two years later, in 1934, the "twist to open" (TTO) mechanism was introduced, facilitating blade replacement through butterfly-style doors.

Handle designs advanced to provide closer shaves; notably, the TTO "Super Speed" model appeared in 1947. By 1955, handle tip colors were used to denote the closeness of the shave. That same year marked the debut of the first adjustable razor, enabling users to modify blade exposure; this model remained in production until 1988.

In 1966, the Super Speed underwent a redesign featuring a black resin-coated metal handle and continued production until 1988. Alongside it, the "Knack," characterized by a longer plastic handle, was manufactured from 1966 through 1975; in European markets, it was marketed as "Slim Twist" and "G2000" until 1988, with a subsequent "G1000" model available until 1998. A contemporary Tech variant continues to be sold worldwide under various brand names.

Discontinued products

  • Techmatic: Launched in the mid-1960s, this single-blade razor incorporated a disposable cartridge with a lever-operated razor band equivalent to five blades; an adjustable version was also produced.
  • Trac II: Introduced in 1971 as the pioneering two-blade razor designed to minimize strokes and reduce skin irritation; included an enhanced Trac II Plus model.
  • Atra (also marketed as Contour, Slalom, Vector): Released in 1977 as the first razor featuring a pivoting head for enhanced shaving around the neck area; included an Atra Plus variant equipped with a lubricating strip.
  • Good News!: Debuted in 1976 as the initial disposable double-blade razor; variants comprised Original, Plus, and Pivot Plus versions.
  • Custom Plus: Disposable razors offered in multiple configurations—fixed head, pivoting head, sensitive skin options, and soothing formulas.
  • Fusion Power Phenom: Rolled out in February 2008 with a distinctive blue and silver design; included a Fusion Power Gamer edition.
  • Body: Introduced in 2014 as a three-blade razor specifically for body grooming but discontinued by 2018.

Current products

  • Gillette Sensor, introduced in 1990 and designed by Dieter Rams, was the first razor to feature spring-loaded blades that retract upon skin contact to reduce nicks while improving closeness. The product line includes Sensor Excel, Sensor 3, and Sensor 3 Cool models.
  • Blue II is a disposable razor series rebranded from Good News!, marketed under the name Prestobarba in Latin American markets. The Blue 3 variant offers three blades at a more affordable price point compared to Sensor 3.
  • Mach3, launched in 1998 as the first three-blade razor, claims to reduce irritation and decrease stroke count. Procter & Gamble enhanced this line in 2016 with disposable, sensitive skin, and "turbo" editions.
  • Venus, created in 2000 for female consumers, includes products such as Venus Divine, Vibrance, Embrace, Breeze, Spa Breeze, and ProSkin Moisture Rich.
  • Gillette Fusion, introduced in 2006, features five blades plus an additional precision trimmer blade. Its marketing campaigns prominently featured athletes Roger Federer, Thierry Henry, and Tiger Woods. Variants include Fusion Power, ProGlide Shield, ProGlide, ProGlide Power, and ProGlide with FlexBall Technology that allows cartridge articulation.
  • Gillette All-Purpose Styler, released in 2012 as a waterproof beard trimmer offering four adjustable length settings.
  • Treo, launched in 2017 for caregivers assisting seniors or individuals with disabilities during shaving. It earned recognition as one of Time’s best inventions of 2018 and was displayed at CES in 2020.
  • SkinGuard, introduced between 2018 and 2019 targeting men with sensitive skin types and supported by extensive advertising efforts.
  • In 2019, Gillette unveiled its first heated razor designed to emulate the sensation of a hot towel shave. Although named one of Time’s best inventions of that year, it faced criticism due to design shortcomings and its premium $200 price tag.
  • The King C. Gillette Beard Care Line, named after the company's founder and launched in May 2020, includes beard grooming essentials such as a safety razor, shave gel, wash, balm, and oil.
  • Planet KIND Skincare Line, introduced in February 2021 as an eco-friendly shaving brand featuring razors composed of 60% recycled plastic with refillable five-blade cartridges engineered for longevity. The collection also contains shave cream, moisturizer, and face wash. Planet KIND collaborates with TerraCycle on recycling initiatives.

Criticism and controversy

Gillette's approach of introducing progressively pricier products accompanied by assertive claims has sparked disputes. In 2005, competitor Wilkinson Sword obtained a US court injunction against Gillette for advertising deemed "unsubstantiated and misleading," mandating changes in the United States but not affecting international markets.

Procter & Gamble's shaving line has been scrutinized by the UK Office of Fair Trading amid allegations of price-fixing. Additionally, in 2016, France’s competition authority fined Gillette for colluding on prices related to personal care items.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of its "Best a Man Can Get" tagline, Gillette unveiled the "The Best Men Can Be" campaign in 2019. This initiative emphasized positive social values and took a stand against bullying, sexism, and toxic masculinity. While it received commendations for tackling societal issues, it also encountered criticism from conservative groups accusing it of promoting left-leaning ideology and calling for consumer boycotts.

In June 2019, Procter & Gamble recorded an $8 billion impairment on Gillette’s business, citing factors such as currency volatility, emerging competitors, and shifting grooming preferences like the rising popularity of beards. Nonetheless, stock prices increased as company leaders voiced optimism regarding Gillette’s prospects.

Marketing

Gillette first introduced its memorable tagline, "The Best a Man Can Get," during a commercial aired at Super Bowl XXIII in 1989. In 2024, the slogan was featured again when singer Tom Grennan performed it for a UK advertisement and released the track as a single.

The brand has been involved in sponsoring prominent sports organizations including Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Olympic Games. It also holds naming rights to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, home to the New England Patriots (NFL) and New England Revolution (MLS). These naming rights were extended through 2031, reinforcing Gillette’s strong foothold in sports marketing.

Gillette’s roster of athlete endorsements includes notable figures such as Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, Thierry Henry, Rahul Dravid, Raheem Sterling, and NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns. The company has also collaborated with gaming personality Dr Disrespect. These sponsorships bolster Gillette’s competitive positioning by associating its products with globally recognized sports icons across various markets.

In 2009, calls for a boycott emerged in Ireland due to Gillette’s endorsement of Thierry Henry following controversy surrounding a FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Media outlets also highlighted an apparent "curse" affecting high-profile endorsers like Woods and Federer who experienced difficulties during that timeframe.

Since the 1990s, Gillette has targeted young adult males through a marketing initiative that sends complimentary razor samples on their 18th birthdays to engage new consumers early in their purchasing journey.

In 2019, Gillette teamed up with Twitch to create the Gillette Gaming Alliance esports group along with the Bits for Blades campaign, which linked digital currency rewards with product purchases. This strategy broadened Gillette’s influence within the expanding esports sector by appealing to younger audiences globally. The 2020 lineup featured streamers such as DrLupo.

From 2020 to 2021, NFL athletes including Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, and Tua Tagovailoa acted as brand ambassadors, underscoring Gillette’s leadership in sports marketing amid changing consumer engagement trends.

In 2025, Gillette secured its role as the official jersey sponsor for the New England Revolution, further strengthening its involvement in professional sports sponsorships.

In science

Within the field of laser studies, Gillette razor blades are occasionally utilized as an unconventional benchmark to gauge the intensity of laser beam penetration. For instance, a laser described as "four-Gillette" is capable of piercing through four stacked blades.

In music

The distinctive guitar tone of the British rock group The Kinks was notably shaped by Gillette razor blades. Guitarist Dave Davies altered an amplifier by incorporating a single-edged Gillette blade to damage the speaker cone deliberately, producing a signature sound evident in tracks such as "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night."

Operations in Canada

In 1988, Gillette revealed plans to shut down its manufacturing facilities located in Montreal and Toronto as part of a $720 million stock buyback initiative and a strategy to streamline global production. Although corporate offices stayed in Montreal, roughly 600 Canadian workers were dismissed. By 2005, Gillette had ended all manufacturing activities in Canada, retaining around 200 staff members across Edmonton, Mississauga, and Montreal who focused on roles including administration, distribution, marketing, and sales.

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