When the Gillette Mach3 was announced in the late 90s, it was more than just a breakthrough in shaving technology; it was the culmination of corporate intrigue, secret production methods, and an infamous case of trade secret theft.
Before the revelation, Gillette erected plywood barriers around the production lines at its factory in Boston to maintain secrecy even from many of its own employees. Gillette claimed that its manufacturing facility had the capacity to produce 250 cartridges per minute.
Steven Davis, a process controls engineer employed by a subcontractor of Gillette responsible for designing the Mach3, illicitly acquired information regarding the Mach3 and transmitted it via fax to Gillette’s rivals, including Warner-Lambert, Bic, and American Safety Razor. Davis admitted guilt to five charges of misappropriating Gillette’s trade secrets in January 1998 and subsequently received a 27-month prison sentence. Davis cited his frustration with his supervisor as the motive behind his actions.
On April 14, 1998, Gillette unveiled the Mach3 razor after investing over $750 million in research and development. Allocating $300 million for a two-year advertising campaign, Gillette promoted the three-blade design as enabling a shave with reduced pressure on the skin and fewer strokes, thus minimizing skin irritation. The Mach3 razor made its debut in North America during the final week of June 1998 and was subsequently introduced in Europe in September of the same year.
Gillette’s corporate narrative, with its blend of strategic innovation, aggressive marketing, and the dark underbelly of trade secret theft, presents a saga that is as sharp and dramatic as the blades they produce.