Procter, William Cooper

Procter, William Cooper

▪ American businessman
born Aug. 25, 1862, Glendale, near Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
died May 2, 1934, Cincinnati

      American manufacturer who established the nation's first profit-sharing plan for employees.

      The soapmaking firm of Procter & Gamble (Procter & Gamble Company) was founded in Cincinnati by Procter's grandfather, William Procter, a candlemaker, who joined with James Gamble, an Irish soapmaker, in 1837. The company expanded steadily with the successful marketing of Ivory soap, introduced in 1879, and with other products subsequently introduced during the presidency (1890–1907) of his father, William Alexander Procter.

      William Cooper Procter started to work at the company in 1883 and became general manager in 1890, after working in every department of the plant. He was president from 1907 until 1930, during which time sales rose from $20 million to over $200 million. From 1930 until his death four years later, he was chairman of the board. During his career with Procter & Gamble, the company built plants in five states, Canada, and England, operated its own cottonseed oil mills, and offered new product lines like Crisco shortening and Camay and Oxydol soaps.

      Under his management, the company pioneered in labour relations. At his suggestion, in 1887, Procter & Gamble was the first American company to give a half-holiday on Saturdays. That same year he originated a profit-sharing plan.

      In 1920, Procter changed the company's retailing practices so that he could guarantee his employees 48 weeks of work every calendar year, year-round. His other innovations included a disability pension plan, a life insurance plan, and employee representation on the board of directors.

      Procter was head of the Cincinnati Red Cross chapter for 20 years. His philanthropic activities included giving large donations to the Cincinnati children's hospital and to Princeton University.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Procter, William (Cooper) — born Aug. 25, 1862, Glendale, near Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. died May 2, 1934, Cincinnati U.S. manufacturer. A grandson of the founder of Procter & Gamble Co., he started working at the company in 1883. He served as president from 1907 to 1930,… …   Universalium

  • Procter, William (Cooper) — (25 ago. 1862, Glendale, cerca de Cincinnati, Ohio, EE.UU.–2 may. 1934, Cincinnati). Industrial estadounidense. Nieto del fundador de Procter & Gamble Co., donde empezó a trabajar en 1883. Presidió la empresa entre 1907 y 1930, tiempo en que las… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • William Cooper Procter — (1862 – May 2, 1934) was the grandson of William Procter, the co founder of Procter Gamble Company. He was notable for creating a profit sharing program for employees, the first in America. He was head of the company from 1907 to 1930. William… …   Wikipedia

  • Cooper — Cooper, Gary Cooper, James Fenimore Cooper, Leon N. * * * (as used in expressions) Cooper Creek, río Cooper Union (for the Advancement of Science and Art) Cooper, Alfred Duff, 1 vizconde Norwich de Aldwick Cooper, Dame Gladys Cooper, Gary Frank… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • cooper — /kooh peuhr, koop euhr/, n. 1. a person who makes or repairs casks, barrels, etc. v.t. 2. to make or repair (casks, barrels, etc.). 3. to furnish or fix (usually fol. by up). v.i. 4. to work as a cooper. [1350 1400; ME couper < MLG kuper or MD… …   Universalium

  • Cooper — /kooh peuhr, koop euhr/, n. 1. Anthony Ashley. See Shaftesbury, Anthony Ashley Cooper. 2. Hugh Lincoln, 1865 1937, U.S. hydraulic engineer. 3. James Fenimore /fen euh mawr , mohr /, 1789 1851, U.S. novelist. 4. Leon N., born 1930, U.S. physicist …   Universalium

  • William — /wil yeuhm/, n. 1. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter W. 2. a male given name: from Germanic words meaning will and helmet. * * * (as used in expressions) Huddie William Ledbetter Aberhart William George William… …   Universalium

  • Procter — Gamble Logo de Procter Gamble Co. Création 1837 Fondateur(s) William Procter James Gamble …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Procter & Gamble — Procter Gamble Logo de Procter Gamble Co. Création 1837 Fondateur(s) William Procter James Gamble …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Procter & gamble — Procter Gamble Logo de Procter Gamble Co. Création 1837 Fondateur(s) William Procter James Gamble …   Wikipédia en Français

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