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PZ Cussons Australia

OVERALL

Owned
UK
Rating
Praises, some criticism

Body care product manufacturing

Acquired Rafferty's Garden baby food business in 2013 and five:am organic yoghurt business in 2014.

Company Ownership

PZ Cussons Australia Pty Ltd   AUS     website   email      
  PZ Cussons Plc   
   owns 100% of PZ Cussons Australia Pty Ltd  
UK     website   email      

Personal care and cleaning products manufacturer

Founded in Africa in 1879 by George Paterson and George Zochonis (PZ).

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
PZ Cussons Australia Pty Ltd
Environment Australian Packaging Covenant signatory
Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation.
Source: Australian Packaging Covenant (2020)
Environment Stormwater contamination
In Feb 2011 the EPA accepted PZ Cussons Australia Pty Ltd proposal of an Enforceable Undertaking following the discharge of contaminated storm water in breach of its EPA licence in Oct 2009. The cost of compliance is estimated by PZ Cussons Australia to be $595,000.
Source: EPA (2011)
Business Ethics No tax paid in 2016/7
According to data released by the Australian Tax Office in Dec 2018, this company was one of 2,159 local and foreign-based companies that paid no tax in Australia in 2016-17. Please note however that companies pay income tax on profits, not revenue (total income). While some companies use tax havens and loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of tax in Australia, other companies that paid no tax have perfectly legitimate reasons.
Source: ATO (2018)
PZ Cussons Plc
Animals Cruelty free company
This company has either signed PETA's statement of assurance or provided a statement verifying that they do not conduct or commission any animal tests.
Source: PETA (2020)
Environment Unsustainable palm oil use
This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for their use of palm oil, signifying they are using no or minimal certified palm products, and with no or minimal positive commitments.
Source: Ethical Consumer (2019)
Environment Use of plastic microbeads
This company uses microbeads in some of its personal care products. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean. While microbeads aren't thought to be a health hazard to consumers, they are a threat to the marine environment.
Source: Beat the Microbead (2018)
Business Ethics Land grabs in Africa
This company has signed a letter of intent (https://bit.ly/2rdBlwn) to participate in the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, which claims will lift 50 million people in Africa out of poverty by 2022. But according to a 2015 report by ActionAid, the scheme will benefit multinational companies at the expense of small-scale farmers and is likely to increase poverty and inequality in Africa. Launched in 2012, the New Alliance provides aid money from rich countries like the US and the UK, and helps big business invest in the African agricultural sector. But in return, African countries are required to change their land, seed and trade rules in favour of big business. The New Alliance will: Make it easier for big corporations to grab land in Africa: Prevent farmers from breeding, saving and exchanging seeds: Heavily promote chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which increase farmersÂ’ risk of debt as well as damaging the environment and farmers' health: Replace family farms with low paid, insecure jobs; and Prevent countries from restricting crop exports, even at times of domestic shortage.
Source: Action Aid (2015)
Business Ethics Sustainability claims
This company has a number of sustainability claims on its website in the areas of environment & plastic, palm oil, business ethics, charitable giving and CSR policies.
Source: company website (2020)
Environment Palm oil in Nigeria
PZ Cussons has a joint venture (PZ Wilmar Ltd) with Singapore's Wilmar International to develop 100,000 hectares of palm oil plantations plus build a palm oil refinery in Nigeria. Wilmar is the world's largest palm oil producer.
Source: news article (2013)
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of C
In 2019, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of C.
Source: CDP (2019)
Social Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: Modern Slavery Registry (2018)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue $180 million in 2019
Employees 130 in 2019
Aus Manufacturing Yes
Subsidiaries Five:am Life Pty Ltd 

Organic yoghurt makers

Founded by David Prior in 2011 and acquired by PZ Cussons in 2014.


Rafferty's Garden Pty Ltd 

Baby food makers

Rafferty's Garden was founded in Australia in 2008 by Adrian Pike. In 2010 private equity firm Anacacia Capital acquired a majority stake. Then in 2013 PZ Cussons bought the company from Anacacia, with Pike retaining an undisclosed minority stake

Contact Details

Address Building A, Level 1, 13-15 Compark Circuit, Mulgrave, VIC, 3170, Australia
Phone 03 9794 3333
Fax 03 9794 3301
Freecall 1800 809 282
Website www.pzcussons.com.au

Products / Brands

PZ Cussons Australia
Charles Worthington Shampoo
Cussons Soap
Duo Laundry Detergent
Fudge Urban Hair Styling
Graphite Deodorant
Imperial Leather Deodorant
Imperial Leather Soap
Imperial Leather Hand Wash/Sanitiser
Imperial Leather Bodywash/Shower Gel
Imperial Leather Mens Grooming
Morning Fresh Dishwashing Detergent
Nilodor Air Fresheners
Original Source Bodywash/Shower Gel
Original Source Hand Wash/Sanitiser
Pure Hand Wash/Sanitiser
Pure Bodywash/Shower Gel
Radiant Laundry Detergent
Rafferty's Garden Baby Food
St Tropez Tanning Lotions
Trix Dishwashing Detergent

five:am Life
five:am certified organic certified organic  Yoghurt
five:am certified organic certified organic  Flavoured Milk
five:am certified organic certified organic  Custard & Desserts
five:am certified organic certified organic  Muesli & Oats


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