S. C. Johnson & Son
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer chemicals, Household cleaning solutions |
| Predecessor | Racine Hardware Manufacturing Company (parquet flooring segment) |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Founder | Samuel Curtis Johnson |
| Headquarters | Racine, Wisconsin , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Herbert Fisk Johnson III (Chairman and CEO) |
| Products | Glade, Windex, Raid, OFF!, Pledge, Ziploc, Drano, Scrubbing Bubbles, and others |
| Owner | Johnson family |
Number of employees | 13,000 (2017) |
| Website | www |
S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.—commonly referred to as S. C. Johnson—is a privately owned American multinational corporation that specializes in consumer chemicals and household cleaning solutions, with its headquarters situated in Racine, Wisconsin. By 2017, the firm employed roughly 13,000 individuals and reported estimated revenues of $10 billion. In 2023, its sales figures rose to about US$11.2 billion.
The company remains under the ownership of the Johnson family and is currently directed by Chairman and CEO Herbert Fisk Johnson III, who represents the fifth generation of family leadership since taking charge in 2004. Its diverse product range encompasses prominent brands including Glade, Windex, Raid, OFF!, Pledge, Ziploc, Drano, and Scrubbing Bubbles.
Operating across numerous international markets, S. C. Johnson holds a significant share within the fast-moving consumer goods sector by leveraging strategic management and continuous innovation in household chemical products. The business model prioritizes family stewardship, sustainable growth, and ongoing research and development investments to maintain its competitive edge.
History
Established in 1886 by Samuel Curtis Johnson following his acquisition of the parquet flooring segment from Racine Hardware Manufacturing Company, the enterprise initially concentrated on parquet flooring before diversifying into floor care products such as Johnson's Prepared Wax and Dance Wax.
Global expansion commenced under Herbert Fisk Johnson Sr., who inaugurated the company’s first overseas subsidiary in the United Kingdom in 1914. A notable event occurred in 1917 when Herbert rewarded employees with $35,000 to acknowledge a prosperous year. During the Great Depression, the launch of Johnson's Glo-Coat in 1932 played a crucial role in sustaining operations. To ensure a reliable supply of wax for manufacturing needs, Herbert Fisk Johnson Jr. embarked on a 1935 expedition to Brazil.
Between 1935 and 1950, SC Johnson sponsored prominent radio broadcasts including The Johnson Wax Program (Fibber McGee and Molly). In the 1950s, the company expanded its media presence by sponsoring television programs such as The Name's the Same, Robert Montgomery Presents, and The Red Skelton Show, thereby increasing brand exposure.
The corporate headquarters—designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and opened in 1939 with an addition completed in 1950—was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1974 due to its architectural significance and corporate heritage.
The introduction of Raid in 1955 marked SC Johnson’s strategic transition from primarily wax-based products to a broader range of consumer goods. Under the leadership of fourth-generation executive Samuel Curtis Johnson Jr., iconic product lines such as Glade, OFF!, and Pledge were launched, reinforcing the company’s position within household product markets.
In April 2018, SC Johnson revised its slogan from "A Family Company" to "A Family Company at Work for a Better World," highlighting its dedication to corporate social responsibility and sustainable business initiatives.
Acquisition milestones
- The acquisition of Drackett in 1992 brought brands like Windex, Drāno, and other specialty cleaning products into S.C. Johnson’s portfolio.
- In 1998, S.C. Johnson broadened its consumer brands by purchasing DowBrands from Dow Chemical, which included Ziploc, Saran, Fantastik, and Scrubbing Bubbles.
- The commercial cleaning division was spun off from Johnson Wax in 1999 to form Johnson Wax Professional, which later became known as Diversey, Inc..
- Four household chemical brands from Bayer—Baygon, Bay Fresh, Bayclin, and Autan—were acquired by the company in 2003.
- In 2008, S.C. Johnson added Caldrea Co., producer of Caldrea and Mrs. Meyers Clean Day cleaning products, to its holdings.
- The company expanded into shoe care by acquiring the Kiwi brand from Sara Lee Corporation in 2011.
- Strengthening its professional cleaning segment occurred with the purchase of Deb Group in 2015; subsequently, SC Johnson Professional products were introduced in 2016.
- The July 2016 acquisition of Babyganics extended S.C. Johnson’s reach into baby skin care, oral care, sun protection products, insect repellents, diapers, and wipes.
- The purchase of Method and Ecover in 2017 enhanced its lineup of environmentally conscious cleaning brands.
- In December 2019, S.C. Johnson acquired Stasher, a brand specializing in reusable silicone food storage bags.
Ingredients
In 2009, the company introduced a website revealing the components of its products available in North America, later broadening the disclosure in 2012 to include fragrance elements. By May 2016, this transparency initiative was extended to cover products sold in Europe. In 2017, SC Johnson published a list of 368 possible skin allergens present in its offerings, underscoring its dedication to openness and consumer health—principles that play a central role in its business approach and customer confidence.
Car care
- Grand Prix (also distributed under the names Kit, Tempo in Mexico, and Carnu in certain markets)
Household cleaning and fragrance products
- Babyganics
- Bayclin (available in Indonesia and Latin America)
- Bayfresh (Southeast Asia)
- Beanpod Soy Candles
- Bon Ami (Canada)
- Caldrea
- Citresin (Czech Republic)
- Drano (marketed as Pipe Unish in Japan)
- Ecover
- Fantastik
- Favor
- Finis (South and West Asia)
- Glade (also known as Gleid and Brise in select regions)
- Held (Switzerland)
- Janitor in a Drum
- Kiwi Dranex Kleen (branded Kiwi Kleen in Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore)
- Lynn (Czech Republic)
- Lysoform (called FamilyGuard in Asia; reintroduced during the COVID-19 pandemic)
- Method
- Mr Muscle (known as Kabikiller in Japan)
- Temple/Tenpuru (Japan)
- Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day
- Nature's Source
- Oust
- Pledge (also marketed as Blem, Pliz, Bravo, Brilho, Pronto, Pride, Glo-coat)
- Scrubbing Bubbles (acquired from Dow Chemical)
- Shout
- Toilet Duck (sold under names such as Canard WC, Bebek, Duck, WC Eend, WC Ente across various markets)
- Windex
- Armstrong Floor Cleaner (United States)
- Johnsons Brite
- Plexon
- Freedom (Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand)
- Roma Coco (Brazil)
- Echo (South & Latin America)
- Optimum (Brazil)
- 00 Null Null WC (Germany)
- Brillo (Europe)
- Goddard's (licensed for Australia & New Zealand)
- Wega (Switzerland)
- 999 (Indonesia)
- All Joy (China)
- Stira E Ammira (marketed as Toke and Klaro in Hispanic regions)
- Ceramicol (Argentina)
- Crew (Hong Kong & Japan)
- Lifeguard (United Kingdom)
- J-80 Sanitizer (Indonesia)
- Shut (Japan)
Household food storage
- Saran Wrap (licensed through Asahi Kasei in Japan)
- Stasher
- Ziploc (licensed by Asahi Kasei in Japan)
Household pest control
- All Out (India)
- Autan
- Baygon
- Biolit (Czech Republic)
- Chemotox (Hungary)
- Diffusil (Czech Republic)
- Exposis (Brazil)
- Fuyí (Argentina)
- OFF! (sold as Skinguard in Japan)
- Pyrel (France)
- Raid
- STEM
- Ridsect (Malaysia)
- Polil (Spain)
- F-Killer (South Korea)
- Pest Rest (China)
Personal care
- Coola
- Oars + Alps
- Sun Bum
Shoe care
- Class
- Grison
- Kiwi
- Meltonian
- Salamander
- Tana
- Woly
- Golden Rooster (China)
- Colorfiel (Mexico)
- Red Bird (China)
Divested brand names
Prominent brands once under S. C. Johnson & Son ownership include:
- Aveeno, personal and skin care line, divested to Johnson & Johnson in 1999.
- Bama, shoe care brand, acquired by Serafin group in 2018.
- Behold, furniture polish product, sold to Sara Lee Corporation in 1993.
- Curel, skin care range, transferred to Bausch & Lomb in 1993.
- Edge, men’s shaving cream brand, sold to Edgewell Personal Care in 2009.
- Endust, dusting aid product line, divested along with Behold to Sara Lee in 1993.
- Fiberall, bulk laxatives brand, sold to Ciba-Geigy in 1988.
- Glass Plus, glass and multi-surface cleaning products, sold to Reckitt in 1998.
- O-Cedar, mops and household tools brand, sold to Vining Industries in 1993.
- Pouss-Mousse, hand soap line, transferred to Colgate-Palmolive in 1993; currently a Palmolive sub-brand.
- Renuzit, air freshener products, sold to The Dial Corporation under Henkel ownership in 1993.
- Rhuli Gel, anti-itch gel product sold with Aveeno to Johnson & Johnson in 1999; reacquired by Trifecta Pharmaceuticals USA in 2017.
- Skintimate, women’s shaving cream line sold with Edge to Edgewell Personal Care in 2009.
- Soft Sense, skin care brand divested with Curel to Bausch & Lomb in 1993; discontinued by 2020.
- Spray 'N Wash stain removers sold alongside Glass Plus to Reckitt in 1998.
- Tahiti shower gels sold with Pouss-Mousse to Colgate-Palmolive in 1993.
- Vivid bleach brand divested with Glass Plus and Spray 'N Wash to Reckitt in 1998.
- Yes laundry detergent transferred along with Glass Plus and others to Reckitt in 1998.
Discontinued brand names
S. C. Johnson & Son has phased out a number of brands, including:
- Semerbak, a bathroom freshener marketed in Indonesia, which was consolidated with Duck; in Japan, this product is sold under the Shut brand.
- AllerCare, a line of dust mite control products withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2000 due to safety issues.
- Astri, an ironing aid available in Indonesia, serving as the local equivalent of Stira E Ammira.
- Axi, a floor cleaning product distributed in Indonesia and Thailand, later merged into Mr. Muscle.
- Rain Barrel, a fabric softener brand in the U.S., known as Soft & Fresh in Indonesia.
- Jubilee, a kitchen wax brand formerly sold in the U.S., subsequently licensed to Malco Products, Inc.
- Fresh Soft Sense, an Indonesian skincare brand that corresponds to Soft Sense domestically.
- Klear (also known as Sol Plus and Klir), which was absorbed into Pledge.
- Future, integrated globally with Pledge and combined with Mr. Muscle in Taiwan.
- Kleen N' Fresh, a Taiwanese floor cleaner merged into Mr. Muscle.
- Glo, which was incorporated into Pledge.
Environmental record
In 2011, S. C. Johnson resolved litigation concerning its Greenlist label, which was accused of misleading consumers about third-party certification; following this, the company discontinued the Greenlist branding on Windex products.
The company supports conservation efforts at the Serra das Almas Private Natural Heritage Reserve in Brazil, safeguarding the caatinga ecosystem and carnauba palm trees—the essential source of carnauba wax used extensively in its product range.
On December 18, 2012, S. C. Johnson commissioned two wind turbines at its largest production site located in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. Together with an adjacent landfill gas recovery system, these installations generate sufficient electricity to fully supply the facility’s power needs.
In 2017, S. C. Johnson broadened its environmentally friendly product offerings by acquiring the Ecover and Method brands under undisclosed financial terms.
Controversy
A RICO lawsuit initiated by tax whistleblower Mike DeGuelle claimed that since 1997, S. C. Johnson & Son exploited audit mistakes to submit fraudulent tax returns and underpay taxes by millions. H. Fisk Johnson launched an internal investigation and voiced concerns about decisions made by the tax department. In 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit determined that DeGuelle had a legitimate claim that his termination was linked to the alleged tax fraud scheme. Nevertheless, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin dismissed the RICO suit on preclusion grounds without addressing the company’s tax conduct directly. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals later upheld a ruling favoring SC Johnson in a defamation case related to DeGuelle’s allegations.
In 2016, S. C. Johnson & Son was among thirteen consumer goods companies fined €948.9 million by France’s Autorité de la concurrence for colluding on prices for personal hygiene products—the largest penalty ever imposed by this regulatory body.
In March 2022, scrutiny arose over the company’s continued operations in Russia despite sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. By April 2022, S. C. Johnson had ceased new investments and reduced certain unspecified activities within the region.