Colgate to Sell Its European Detergent Brands

    TO BUSINESS EDITOR: 
 
                Colgate to Sell Its European Detergent Brands 
 
    NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2003 -- Colgate-Palmolive 
Company (NYSE: CL) announced today its agreement to sell its European laundry 
detergent brands, marketed in France, Italy and Scandinavia, to The Procter & 
Gamble Company.  The sale is subject to approval by regulatory authorities in 
France.  
    Reuben Mark, Colgate's Chairman and CEO said, "The sale of these detergent 
brands is consistent with Colgate's strategy to de-emphasize detergents while 
investing in our high margin, fast growing oral and personal care businesses."   
    It is expected that the one-time gain resulting from the transaction will 
be offset by one-time charges associated with divesting these detergent 
operations and associated actions. 
    Mr. Mark concluded, "This sale will increase our European gross margin and 
allow even greater focus on our strong and strategically vital oral and 
personal care businesses." 
 
                                    * * * 
    About Colgate-Palmolive: Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer 
products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Household 
Surface Care, Fabric Care and Pet Nutrition.  Colgate sells its products in 
over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally 
recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Mennen, Softsoap, Irish Spring, 
Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, Suavitel and Fab, as well as 
Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet pet foods.  For more 
information about Colgate's global business, visit the Company's website at 
www.colgate.com. 
 
    This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual events 
or results may differ materially from those statements. Investors should 
consult the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(including the information set forth under the caption "Cautionary Statement 
on Forward-Looking Statements" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 2002) for information about factors that could cause such 
differences. Copies of these filings may be obtained upon request from the 
Company's Investor Relations Department or the Company's website on the 
internet at www.colgate.com. 
 
SOURCE  Colgate-Palmolive 
    -0-                             10/20/2003 
    /CONTACT:  Bina Thompson, [phone], or Hope Spiller,  
[phone], both of Colgate-Palmolive/ 
    /Web site:  http://www.colgate.com / 
    (CL) 
 




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