Gillette Mach3

The Gillette Mach3 (/mækθriː/,[2][3] /mɑːkθriː/[4]) is a line of razors produced by Gillette.

Gillette Mach3
TypeCartridge safety razor
InceptionJune 1998 (1998-06)
ManufacturerProcter & Gamble
AvailableYes
Models made

Production

Prior to the announcement, Gillette built plywood walls around the production lines in its factory in Boston, in order to keep it a secret from many of its own employees.[5] Gillette said its manufacturing plant was capable of producing 250 cartridges per minute.[6]

Trade secret theft

Steven Davis, a process controls engineer working for a Gillette subcontractor that designed the Mach3, stole information about the Mach3 and faxed it to Gillette's competitors, Warner-Lambert, Bic, and American Safety Razor.[7] Davis pleaded guilty to five counts of stealing Gillette's trade secrets in January 1998.[7] Davis was sentenced to 27 months in prison.[8] Davis said he committed the crime because he was angry at his boss.[8]

Announcement and introduction

Gillette announced the Mach3 razor on April 14, 1998,[9] following more than $750 million in R&D.[10]

Gillette budgeted $300 million for a two-year advertising campaign for the Mach3 razor.[9][11] Gillette marketed the three blade design as allowing for a shave with less pressure to the skin and with fewer strokes, thereby reducing skin irritation. The Mach3 razor was released in North America during the last week of June 1998.[12] It was first sold in Europe in September 1998.[13]

The Gillette Mach3 cartridge attachment mechanism (top) and a blade cartridge (bottom).

Mach 3 system

The Mach 3 system is also used in razors offered by other producers like Truefitt & Hill, DR Harris, and Muhle.

References
  1. "Where to buy Máquina de afeitar recargable Mach3 cuerpo".
  2. Gillette Mach 3 commercial (1999). YouTube. 2013-05-21. Event occurs at 0:29. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  3. Gillette MACH3 | 5 Reasons To Upgrade. Gillette, via YouTube. January 22, 2018. Event occurs at 0:08. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
  4. Gillette MACH3 Sensitive TV Commercial, 'Sensitive Skin'. iSpot.tv. Gillette. 2013-07-03. Event occurs at 0:08. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  5. Meyers, Todd (April 21, 1998). "Gillette paves way for first class shave". Charleston Gazette (Charleston, West Virginia). p. P1D.
  6. Francis, David (July 1, 1998). "Economics Of Whisker Removal". Christian Science Monitor. p. 1.
  7. "Prison Shave". The Australian. May 1, 1998. p. 33.
  8. Lowry, Tom (May 28, 1998). "FBI Joins Firms to Fight Espionage". USA Today. p. 1B.
  9. "Gillette unveils three-bladed razor". Associated Press. April 14, 1998.
  10. Aoki, Naomi (August 2003). "The war of the razors". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 28, 2007.
  11. Estrin, Robin (September 28, 1998). "Gillette to lay off 4,700 workers as part of reorganization". Associated Press.
  12. "Gillette Earnings Up 11 Percent". Associated Press. July 16, 1998.
  13. "Gillette sets Mach3 launch". CNN Money. CNN. April 14, 1998. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  1. the razor is known in Latin America as Gillette Mach 3 Aqua Grip.
  2. in Brazil the razor is known as Gillette Mach 3 Corpo in Brazilian Portuguese and in Latin America is known as Gillette Mach 3 Cuerpo in Spanish.[1]
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