Difference between Gillette and Schick
When it comes to razors, Gillette is clearly the most recognizable brands around, although Schick does have some fans of its own. Aside from market share however, one important point of comparison lies with specific products of each company, a concern that was recently brought to the forefront by the lawsuit filed by Gillette against Schick for patent breach. Although the legal issues between the two companies have since been resolved, the comparisons remain.
Notable Achievements
Gillette made its mark with the release of the first safety razor, which was unveiled to the public in 1895. The company followed suit with the introduction of the first razor intended for women, which in turn was released in 1916.
Gillette pretty much dominated the field until the late 20th century, when other companies began releasing their own multi blade designs, the most notable of which was Schick’s Quattro. This followed on the heels of Gillette’s 1971 twin-blade razor and the Mach 3, which featured a triple-bladed design.
Innovations And Lawsuits
The Quattro was actually a bit of a mixed blessing for Schick, since its revolutionary design soon earned the ire of Gillette, which claimed that Schick had breached established patents that Gillette held with the Mach 3.
Schick for its part has gone on record disputing Gillette claims of providing the "best shave possible", with the reason being that their own Quattro’s four blade design is a clear improvement over the Mach 3’s three blade design.
As events transpired, it appeared that Gillette’s objections had as much to do with the use of multiple blades–which it pioneered–as the positioning of said blades. Gillette felt that the angle of the Quattro’s blades was a little too close to home, and a lawsuit was soon forthcoming.
As mentioned previously, both companies have since resolved the conflict, although the competition between the two rages on as fiercely as ever.
Market Share
It is important to note that Gillette is a considerably larger and more established company, with an enormous R&D budget. In fact, the company spent no less than $984m in the development of the Mach 3, with as much as $250m spent on specialized tools alone. It is hardly surprising then that Gillette has a firm hold on the market, with as much as 72% cornered. Schick for its part comes in at a distant second with only 15% of the market to its name.
Summary
Gillette
- Has captured 72% of the global razor market
- Was responsible for the first safety razor, which was released in 1895
- Developed a women’s razor in 1916
- Came out with the twin-blade razor in 1971
- Introduced the triple-blade Mach 3 in 1999.
- Has filed suit against Schick for its release of the Quattro, which Gillette claims is in violation of established patents
Schick
- Is a distant second to Gillette, with a 15% market share
- Claims that the Quattro is an all-new and innovative design that will “change the shape of the (razor) market”
