Company Profile

The Dial Corporation (NYSE: DL) is a $1.7 billion company based in Scottsdale, Ariz., that manufactures and markets such well-known consumer products as Dial soaps, Purex laundry detergents, Renuzit air fresheners, Armour Star canned meats and specialty personal care products under the Freeman Cosmetics and Sarah Michaels brand names.

Dial soap, the Company's namesake product, is America's #1 antibacterial soap. We sell nearly 1 million bars a day. Purex laundry detergents have staked out a clear leadership position in the value segment and Purex is the #2 selling detergent brand overall. Renuzit is the #2 brand of air fresheners based on an excellent track record of solid product innovation. Armour Star is the #2 canned meat producer in the United States and the #1 brand of Vienna sausage.

Dial is a leader in the growing $1 billion specialty personal care business. The Freeman Cosmetics line includes natural skin, hair, bath and body, and foot care products sold in the Health and Beauty Care aisles. Sarah Michaels is known for its high quality and innovative merchandising of specialty bath and body products and gift sets.

The Company seeks to grow internationally as well as in the United States. Since becoming an independent company in August 1996, Dial International has doubled in importance, as measured by the percentage of total company sales it represents. Strong development in Canada and Mexico, and major acquisitions in Argentina of Nuevo Federal (1997) and Plusbelle hair care products (2000) are the primary drivers of growth.

A key element in Dial's future growth is the development of innovative new products that will be launched in 2001. First among them is Dial Complete, the greatest advance in antibacterial liquid soaps since the introduction of Liquid Dial in 1988. Using an innovative foaming pump developed by Dial, Dial Complete has greater efficacy against disease-causing germs while being milder on the skin that other liquid hand soaps. Other products planned for launch in 2001 include a value-size Purex liquid detergent and new Purex Tabs and three new air freshener products: Renuzit One Touch Scented Oil, Renuzit Designs pillar candles and Renuzit Fresh Gels.

January 2001