Tom's of Maine
Encyclopedia
Tom's of Maine is a brandname and manufacturer of natural-ingredients-only personal care products, a partially owned subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive
since 2006. The company's products are intentionally made without ingredients that are either chemically derived
, have a negative environmental impact, or are tested on animals. While most of its products are vegan, some contain propolis
and/or beeswax
sourced from bees.
Tom's of Maine was founded by Tom
and Kate Chappell
in 1970 with just USD
$5,000. The company is based in Kennebunk, Maine
, USA
. The company, currently a division of multinational conglomerate Colgate-Palmolive
, now has approximately 150 employees. Its approximately 90 oral- and body-care products are sold at more than 40,000 retail outlets worldwide. Their various product lines include soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, and mouthwashes, among others. Their fluoride toothpastes are the only natural alternatives to common, industrial-ingredient dentifrice
s to earn the American Dental Association
's Seal of Acceptance.
for USD $100,000,000; the Chappells own the remaining sixteen percent. The terms of the purchase stipulate that the policies and company culture of the Tom's of Maine brand, a crucial part of what makes the overall company so valuable, will be retained.
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive Company is an American diversified multinational corporation focused on the production, distribution and provision of household, health care and personal products, such as soaps, detergents, and oral hygiene products . Under its "Hill's" brand, it is also a manufacturer of...
since 2006. The company's products are intentionally made without ingredients that are either chemically derived
Chemical synthesis
In chemistry, chemical synthesis is purposeful execution of chemical reactions to get a product, or several products. This happens by physical and chemical manipulations usually involving one or more reactions...
, have a negative environmental impact, or are tested on animals. While most of its products are vegan, some contain propolis
Propolis
Propolis is a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is used as a sealant for unwanted open spaces in the hive. Propolis is used for small gaps , while larger spaces are usually filled with beeswax. Its color varies depending on its...
and/or beeswax
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax produced in the bee hive of honey bees of the genus Apis. It is mainly esters of fatty acids and various long chain alcohols...
sourced from bees.
History
Tom Chappell
Thomas Matthew "Tom" Chappell is an American businessman and manufacturer and co-founder of Tom's of Maine in 1970.Chappell graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut with a B.A. in English in 1966. Chappell and his wife, cofounder Kate Chappell, moved to Kennebunk, Maine in 1968 to...
and Kate Chappell
Kate Chappell
Kate Cheney Chappell is an American businesswoman, manufacturer, and co-founder of Tom's of Maine in 1970.Chappell is a 1963 graduate of Oxford School in West Hartford, Connecticut. She attended Chatham College and Sarah Lawrence College before she and her husband, cofounder Tom Chappell, moved to...
in 1970 with just USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
$5,000. The company is based in Kennebunk, Maine
Kennebunk, Maine
Kennebunk is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,075 people at the 2000 census. Including Kennebunkport , the population totals 14,196 people...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The company, currently a division of multinational conglomerate Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive Company is an American diversified multinational corporation focused on the production, distribution and provision of household, health care and personal products, such as soaps, detergents, and oral hygiene products . Under its "Hill's" brand, it is also a manufacturer of...
, now has approximately 150 employees. Its approximately 90 oral- and body-care products are sold at more than 40,000 retail outlets worldwide. Their various product lines include soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, and mouthwashes, among others. Their fluoride toothpastes are the only natural alternatives to common, industrial-ingredient dentifrice
Dentifrice
Dentifrice is a paste, liquid or powder used to help maintain oral hygiene. There have been many dentifrices produced over the years, many focusing on marketing strategies to sell products, such as offering whitening capabilities. The most essential dentifrice recommended by dentists is toothpaste...
s to earn the American Dental Association
American Dental Association
The American Dental Association is an American professional association established in 1859 which has more than 155,000 members. Based in Chicago, the ADA is the world's largest and oldest national dental association and promotes good oral health to the public while representing the dental...
's Seal of Acceptance.
Acquisition
In 2006, a controlling 84% stake in Tom's of Maine was purchased by Colgate-PalmoliveColgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive Company is an American diversified multinational corporation focused on the production, distribution and provision of household, health care and personal products, such as soaps, detergents, and oral hygiene products . Under its "Hill's" brand, it is also a manufacturer of...
for USD $100,000,000; the Chappells own the remaining sixteen percent. The terms of the purchase stipulate that the policies and company culture of the Tom's of Maine brand, a crucial part of what makes the overall company so valuable, will be retained.