What shoe company did Colgate-Palmolive own but then divest? What year
was the divestment?

Patriot --

You're exactly correct but Colgate-Palmolive histories on the Internet
didn't tell the story.  SEC records on-line only go back to about
1994.  We had to go back to paper histories.

In 1971 David Foster, who had run Colgate-Palmolive's UK operation,
became chairman and CEO.  He acquired a large number of companies,
including RAM Golf, Hill's Pet Food and Charles A. Eaton, a golf and
tennis shoe manufacturer, according to "International Directory of
Company Histories," St. James Press, 1991.

When Foster was replaced by Keith Crane in 1979, Colgate began
divesting itself of companies outside its core of personal care
products.  RAM Golf was sold in 1980, as were several other companies
(and 5 were folded as well), according to the April 12, 1980 New York
Times.

Though it's not exactly clear precisely when the Charles A. Eaton Co.
was spun off, if you're a golfer you'll recognize its new name.  The
company and its business is now known as Etonic:
http://www.etonicathletic.com/corporate.html

Google search strategy:
go to the library
when we found out a little about the company, do a Google search for:
"Charles A. Eaton" + shoes

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

Before I received your answer, I also received an answer back from
"Investor Relations" at Colgate-Palmolive. Here is their exact answer,
"Jim,

The shoe company we divested was called Etonic.  It was sold in 1986.

Regards,
Hope"
---------------------- Forwarded by Hope Spiller/USANY/NA/COLPAL on
11/11/2002 04:19 PM ---------------------------


Angela Pennolino
11/11/2002 12:36 PM

To:    Hope Spiller/USANY/NA/COLPAL@COLPAL
cc:
bcc:
Subject:    Research: What Shoe company was divested?


---------------------- Forwarded by Angela Pennolino/USANY/NA/COLPAL
on
11/11/2002 12:35 PM ---------------------------


"Welch, James" <JWelch@PRTM.com> on 11/11/2002 08:49:16 AM

To:    Investor Relations/USANY/NA/COLPAL
cc:
bcc:
Subject:    Research: What Shoe company was divested?


> Dear Sir/Madam:
>
> I am researching Colgate-Palmolive and would like to know the name
of the
> shoe
> company that was divested in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s?
>
> I am aware that Colgate-Palmolive divested RAM, a maker of golf
clubs,
and
>
> Kendall Healthcare products, but I would like to know the name of
the
shoe
>
> company that was sold.
>
> Thank you very much.
 > Jim Welch

I did a quick google search on combinations of terms like:

 colgate-palmolive, shoe, shoe*, divest*, acquired, "acquired by"

and so on.

I did not find anything. If questioner can provide additional
information, this might help.

I've never heard Colgate-Palmolive being involved in such business.
But Puma, a well known shoe/trainer company got their current CEO from
Colgate-Palmolive.

More information:

http://www.forbes.com/global/2002/0318/028_print.html

Yes, it is true. In fact they once owned RAM, a manufacturer of golf
clubs. The shoe business was sold off in the 1970s or 1980s, but I do
not know the exact name of the business or the exact year.

What shoe business did they divest, and when?

Thank you.