In 1980, as it approached its 150th anniversary, P&G was poised for the most dramatic period of growth in its history. The Company that began as a small Midwestern partnership had grown into one of America's largest multi-national corporations. Two important changes marked this dramatic period. First, the Company emerged as an important new player in health care through the acquisition of Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals in 1982, Richardson-Vicks in 1985 – and in cosmetics and fragrances – with the acquisitions of Noxell, Max Factor and Ellen Betrix in the late '80s and early '90s. These acquisitions also fueled the Company's globalization plans. Richardson-Vicks and Max Factor, in particular, dramatically expanded P&G's international presence. Leveraging its new global strengths, the Company established a worldwide research and development network, with research hubs in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Latin America, and achieved leadership positions for Pampers, Always/Whisper, Pantene Pro-V, Tide, Ariel, Crest, Vicks, and Oil of Olay – products that had become truly world brands. Over the years, P&G innovations have helped Tide remain a category leader and P&G's single largest brand. Today, Procter & Gamble is a truly global corporation. Since 1980, the company has quadrupled the number of consumers it can serve with its brands – about five billion people around the world. P&G now has operations in more than 70 countries and its products are sold in over 140 countries, making P&G one of the biggest and most successful consumer goods companies in the world. P&G is also a major force for economic growth and well-being around the world by employing more than 100,000 people worldwide.

1980 Sales reached $10 billion.

1981 John G. Smale became head of Procter & Gamble.

1982 P&G increased its prescription and over-the-counter health care business with the acquisition of Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals.

1983 The Company introduced a superior feminine protection product, Always/Whisper, that became the leading world brand in its category by 1985.

1984 Liquid Tide introduced. This represented the results of global development with surfactants developed in Japan, fragrance in Europe and packaging from the United States.

1985 P&G opened the General Offices Tower building, the expansion of Procter & Gamble's world headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Company significantly expanded its over-the-counter and personal health care business worldwide with the acquisition of Richardson-Vicks, owners of Vicks respiratory care and Oil of Olay product lines.

1986 The Company developed a new technology that enabled consumers to wash and condition their hair using only one product. Pert Plus/Rejoice shampoo quickly became one of the leading worldwide shampoo brands.
Ultra Pampers and Luvs Super Baby Pants introduced--with effective, new technology that makes diapers thinner.

1987 P&G celebrated its 150th anniversary. The Company ranked as the second oldest company among the 50 largest Fortune 500 companies.
The Company increased its presence in the European personal care category with the acquisition of the Blendax line of products, including Blend-a-med and Blendax toothpastes. It was the largest international acquisition in Company history.
P&G announced several major organizational changes with restructuring to category management and a product supply system that integrated purchasing, manufacturing, engineering and distribution.

1988 The Company announced a joint venture to manufacture products in China. This was the Company's first operation in the largest consumer market in the world.
Refill packs for liquid products were introduced in Germany for liquid products like Lenor fabric softener. They were recognized as a significant advance in solid waste prevention, reducing packaging by up to 85%. Germany's retail grocers named Lenor's refill pouch the invention of the year.

1989 The Company entered the cosmetics and fragrances category with the acquisition of Noxell and its Cover Girl, Noxzema and Clarion products.

1990 Edwin L. Artzt was named to lead the Company.
The Company expanded its presence in the male personal care market with the acquisition of Shulton's Old Spice product line. Spic and Span Pine was packaged in recycled plastic. It was the Company's first packaging from 100% recycled plastic and won a first place designation in the international Du Pont Packaging Awards.
Most of the laundry detergent brands were reformulated to incorporate P&G's compact technology. Introduced in Japan with the Cheer and Ariel brands, the technology was expanded to 36 brands in 20 different countries during the year.

1991 The acquisitions of Max Factor and Betrix increased the Company's worldwide presence in the cosmetics and fragrances category.
The Company introduced a new logo and wordmark to provide a more contemporary and consistent global look.
P&G opened its first operation in Eastern Europe with the acquisition of Rakona in Czechoslovakia. New businesses in Eastern European countries--Hungary, Poland and Russia--follow throughout the year.

1992 P&G received the World Environment Center Gold Medal for International Corporate Environmental Achievement.
Pantene Pro-V was introduced. Originally a small part of the 1985 Richardson-Vicks acquisition, Pantene became the fastest growing shampoo in the world.

1993 Company sales exceeded $30 billion. For the first time in Company history, more than 50% of sales came from outside the U.S.
The Company launched a major program to improve organizational effectiveness and ensure the Company remained cost competitive in a global marketplace. It was the largest such undertaking in Company history. As a result, P&G was able to get its best ideas to market faster and more cost efficiently than ever before, providing consumers with better value.
The Japan Headquarters and Technical Center opened on Rokko Island in Kobe City, Japan. The complex consolidated headquarters and product development operations.

1994 P&G entered the European tissue and towel market with the acquisition of the German based company, VP Schickedanz.
P&G added Giorgio Beverly Hills to its fine fragrance business. Other fragrances included Red and Wings.
The Company re-entered the South African market following the lifting of U.S. sanctions against investment in South Africa. P&G South Africa doubled its overall business during its first year.
The United States Department of Labor presented P&G the Opportunity 2000 Award, which is given annually to one company committed to instituting equal employment opportunities and creating a diverse work force. P&G was recognized for its multifaceted, comprehensive affirmative action and executive development programs.

1995 John E. Pepper was elected to lead the Company as P&G's ninth Chairman and Chief Executive, and Durk I. Jager became the first Chief Operating Officer.
P&G moved from managing the business under two geographic entities, U.S. and International, to managing it through four regions -- North America, Latin America, Asia, and Europe/Middle East/Africa. All regions reported to a single officer, the Chief Operating Officer. The new structure fostered greater strategic coordination, helping P&G compete more effectively as a global company. P&G also opened a Health Care Research Center in Cincinnati to serve as the worldwide hub for the Company's health care business. The Health Care Research Center was designed to promote innovation and efficiency in bringing new pharmaceuticals to market faster by consolidating employees under one roof. Following the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Vietnam, P&G established a joint venture with the Phuong Dong Company to build a manufacturing plant in the Song Be Province, just outside of Ho Chi Minh City.
P&G was awarded the National Medal of Technology -- the highest award the United States bestows for achievement in technology -- for creating, developing and applying advanced technologies to consumer products that have helped improve the quality of life for billions of consumers worldwide.

1996 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval of Olestra for use in salty snacks and crackers. Olestra, marketed under the brand name Olean, is a calorie-free fat replacer that provides the full taste of fat without the added fat or calories.
The Company continued to expand its global reach with acquisitions of the U.S. baby wipes brand Baby Fresh -- complementing the Company's global diaper business and its strong European Pampers Baby Wipes business -- and Latin American brands Lavan San household cleaner and Magia Blanca bleach -- providing a solid foundation for P&G growth in this important laundry category.
P&G celebrated Tide's 50th birthday with a "Dirtiest Kid in America" contest.