Billionaire and activist investor Carl Icahn isn't giving up his fight for control of Clorox, the parent of Durham-based Burt's Bees.
In a regulatory filing today, Icahn proposed replacing the company's entire board with his own 11 directors, including himself.
Clorox, which last month rejected Icahn's $10.7 billion takeover offer, said it would review the proposal, but doesn't support his efforts. "Mr. Icahn is nominating candidates solely to advance his own agenda," Clorox wrote in a statement.
Icahn plans to push for his slate of directors at the company's next annual meeting, which hasn't been scheduled yet.
The so-called proxy fight comes after Icahn proposed buying Clorox last month. He already owns 9.4 percent of its stock. He has said his bid was partly to spur other bidders to step in and to encourage Clorox to shop itself around.
This week, Icahn scored his latest success in a long history of corporate takeovers and deals. Motorola Mobility, under pressure from Icahn to improve its business, agreed to sell itself to Google for $12.5 billion.
Clorox owns a wide range of brands, including its namesake bleach, Glad trash bags and Britta water filters. In late 2007, it bought Burt's Bees, which sells lip balms, lotions and other products made mostly from natural ingredients.
That division of Clorox employs about 350 at its headquarters and manufacturing operations in Durham.
Clorox shares fell 12 cents to close at $64 today. The shares peaked at $74.55 last month after Icahn raised his initial offer for the company.
Assistant Business Editor Alan M. Wolf joined the N&O in 1999 covering the business of health care. He became an editor in 2001, and helps oversee the paper's daily business coverage and Sunday Work&Money section. He lives in Clayton with his wife and two children. Reach him at 919-829-4572 or