Abstract
L'OREAL, a world leader in cosmetics, started as a family business. It was founded in 1909, by the chemist Eugene Schueller, who manufactured and sold hair dye to hairdressers. The spirit and values attached to them are the basis of the group, and enable it to dominate the cosmetics market.
The L'Oreal group began by launching products in the hair coloring segment. The product was their first real innovation, as well as the first major success of what would become the leading company in the cosmetics market.
In 1912, the group began exporting internationally, selling its products in France, Holland, Austria and Italy. In the last century, the L'Oreal group has continued to maintain its policy of "innovation and communication." To ensure constant innovation, the Research Department has been developed, and has continued to grow.
The group started with 3 researchers in 1920, and now has a team of more than 2823 people. Now, a company on the stock exchange, it has more than 400 affiliates and fifty plants in the world. In its new mission, L'ORÉAL is interested in the whole cosmetics sector and beauty in general. The group is particularly interested in dermatological and pharmaceutical activities, in which it is involved through joint venture capital and participation.
