Gillette Razor

The day when investors or financiers could afford to stick up their noses at the "specialties" has long since passed. Few better instances of this fact have appeared than the Gillette Safety Razor Co.

Only a few years ago, Mr. Gillette started his business with $5,000 capital and a new, practical idea. The statement of his company as of Dec. 31, 1923, shows a corporation of 334,215 shares with a book value of $85.48 apiece, or $28,570,884 in all, and earning $25.16 on each share.

The apostle of the close shave is under no necessity of practising this policy financial-wise. Comparing the 1923 statement with that of 1922, cash has increased from $4,089,477 to $5,925,428, receivables declined from $6,775,853 to $4,957,518, and inventories risen from $3,024,010 to $3,758,880. Total current assets have increased from $13,889,340 to $14,641,826. Total current liabilities,' on the other hand, were only $1,550,636 in 1922 and only $2,052,158 last year. Meanwhile, working capital has risen from $12,338,704 to $12,589,668.

This financial growth in the Gillette Safety Razor Co. only reflects its more fundamental growth in production and power of distribution. Last year the company acquired a new power plant and office building, this March an addition to its Boston factory will be opened, with a second addition scheduled to open early in 1925. At the same time, distributing facilities are being expanded in all parts of the world, including the Americas, Cuba, Europe, the West Indies and even the Orient.