Alan (A.G.) Lafley, Former CEO, Procter & Gamble Co.
2011 IW Manufacturing Hall of Fame Inductee
Consumer-driven innovation and consistent sustainable growth was the hallmark of Alan (A.G.) Lafley's leadership at Procter & Gamble Co.
Lafley served as president and CEO of Procter & Gamble from 2000 to 2009, capping a three-decade career with the company. At a time when P&G's results had been slipping, Lafley in the 2000s focused the company on core businesses and brands; faster-growing and higher-margin beauty, grooming and health care businesses; and winning in developing markets.
When Lafley retired in 2010, P&G had more than doubled its sales since the beginning of the decade, and the company's portfolio of billion-dollar brands had grown from 10 to 22. The number of brands with sales between $500 million and $1 billion had increased fivefold and P&G's market capitalization had more than doubled.
He joined the company in 1977, after receiving his bachelor of arts degree from Hamilton College and an MBA from Harvard University and became chairman of the board in 2002.
His dedication to the philosophy that the "consumer is boss" resulted in a book he co-authored called "The Game-Changer." At P&G the phrase was more than a slogan. "It was a clear, simple and inclusive cultural priority for both our employees and our external stakeholders, such as suppliers and retail partners," Lafley wrote.
In 2010, he was recognized with the Edison Achievement Award -- one of just a handful of business CEOs to ever receive the honor. The award recognizes distinguished business executives who have made a significant and lasting contribution to innovation.
Lafley serves as a special partner at Clayton, Dubilier and Rice, a private-equity investment firm, and as chairman of the board of trustees of Hamilton College. Lafley also served as a director at Dell Inc. during the past five years.
Lafley's successor Bob McDonald called Lafley "one of the greatest CEOs, if not the greatest CEO, in the history of P&G."
