Oral-B oral care brand

Brand origin and early history

Oral-B began as a toothbrush design and company created by Dr. Robert W. Hutson in California around 1950; the brand (originally marketed as the “Hutson”/Oral-B brush) grew through the 1950s and 1960s as a dentist-endorsed oral-care product. (en.wikipedia.org)

Product range and manufacturing footprint

Oral-B is a global oral-care brand covering manual and powered toothbrushes, replacement brush heads, toothpastes, dental floss, mouthwashes, and oral irrigators. Manufacturing and packaging for Oral-B products occur in multiple countries — P&G/Oral-B operate production and R&D facilities in the United States (notably an Oral-B / P&G manufacturing center in Iowa City), and many marketed Oral-B items are produced or assembled in countries including Germany, Hungary, Mexico, Ireland and China depending on product line and regional supply chains. Examples of documented origins include Iowa City manufacturing operations and product-origin listings showing Germany and Hungary for specific electric toothbrush models and toothpaste items. (thegazette.com)

Ownership and corporate changes

Oral-B was acquired into the Gillette group (1980s) and became part of Procter & Gamble when P&G acquired Gillette (the transaction was announced in 2005 and integrated thereafter). Today Oral-B is a core P&G oral-care brand marketed alongside Crest and other P&G oral-health products; P&G is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. (en.wikipedia.org)

How this affects origin statements

Because Oral-B products are manufactured and assembled in multiple facilities worldwide (manual brushes, electric handles, chargers, and packaging are often made in different countries), the correct manufacturing classification is "Multiple countries." Country-of-origin labeling on individual Oral-B SKUs will reflect the specific production site for that SKU (check the product packaging or vendor listing for the precise "Made in" claim). (thegazette.com)