WARNER-LAMBERT COMPANY

diversified American corporation, manufacturer of products ranging from pharmaceuticals to candy. Headquarters are in Morris Plains, N.J. The company dates to 1856, when William Warner, a Philadelphia pharmacist, invented the sugar-coated pill. In 1908 the Warner company was bought by Gustavus A. Pfeiffer and Company, a St. Louis patent-medicine company, which retained the Warner name. The company was incorporated in 1920 as William R. Warner and Company, Inc., and proceeded to buy several other companies-including the Hudnut and Du Barry cosmetics businesses-and move its headquarters to New York City. After several further mergers and name changes, it assumed its present name in 1970. In 1945 Elmer Holmes Bobst was brought in to invigorate a stagnant company. Within a few years he initiated a series of acquisitions, including Lambert Pharmacal (Listerine), Emerson Drug (Bromo-Seltzer), American Chicle (Chiclets chewing gum), Smith Brothers (cough drops), Parke-Davis (prescription drugs), and others. More than half of the modern company's sales come from pharmaceuticals, hospital supplies, and nonprescription drugs and health care products. Other product lines include breath mints, razors, and pet care products.