Burt's Bees

Last updated
Burt's Bees
Company type Subsidiary
Founded1984;40 years ago (1984), in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, U.S. [1]
Founders
Headquarters
Durham, North Carolina [3]
,
U.S.
Area served
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Germany
  • Hong Kong
  • Taiwan
  • New Zealand [2]
Key people
Mariah Eckhardt (VP & General Manager) [4]
ProductsNatural personal care products
RevenueUS$250 million (2006) [2]
Number of employees
420 (2005) [5]
Parent Clorox (2007–present) [2]
Website burtsbees.com

Burt's Bees is an American multinational personal care product company. The company is a subsidiary of Clorox that describes itself as an "Earth-friendly, Natural Personal Care Company" [6] making products for personal care, health, beauty and personal hygiene. [2] Its products are distributed globally. [2] [7]

Contents

History

1984–1989: Founding

Burt's Bees Hand Salve, Sep 2012 Burt's Bees Hand Salve, Sep 2012.JPG
Burt's Bees Hand Salve, Sep 2012

Originating in Maine in the 1980s, the business began when co-founder Roxanne Quimby started making candles from Burt Shavitz's leftover beeswax. [8] The first headquarters was an abandoned one-room schoolhouse rented from a friend for $150 a year. [9] This eventually led to the bottling and selling of honey by the two co-founders, and Quimby's focus on maintaining high quality helped to grow the business from an initial $200 at the Dover-Foxcroft Junior High School craft fair to $20,000 in sales by the end of its first year. The practice of bottling honey slowly diminished as the company evolved as a corporation. The company eventually began selling other products that used honey and beeswax, including furniture polish and edible spreads, before moving more fully into personal care products. [10]

Burt's Bees increased production in 1989, after a New York City boutique, Zona, ordered hundreds of their beeswax candles. Forty additional employees were hired and an abandoned bowling alley became their new manufacturing location. During this time, Quimby read one of Burt Shavitz's 19th-century books about bee-keeping, which included home-made personal care recipes, prompting Burt's Bees to enter into the personal care products industry. [9]

1990s: Incorporation and diversification

Burt's Bees became incorporated in 1991, and had a product line that included candles, natural soaps, perfumes, and, eventually, lip balm, which became their best-selling product. [8]

In 1993, Quimby threatened to sue Shavitz over personal issues, which, essentially, forced Shavitz out of the company's operations. [8] Burt's Bees changed its focus to exclusively personal care products. In 1995, the company moved its manufacturing operations into a 18,000-square-foot (1,700 m2) former garment factory in Creedmoor, North Carolina. Although Burt's Bees continued to focus on the "homemade" product theme, automated machines, such as a former cafeteria mixer from Duke University, were introduced to increase production. Chapel Hill was the site of the first Burt's Bees retail store, which offered 50 natural personal care products, and distribution had also reached the Japanese market. [2]

Burts Bees Lip Balm. Top to down: Cucumber Mint, Watermelon, Coconut & Pear, Sweet Mandarin, Original. Burts Bees Lip Balm.jpg
Burts Bees Lip Balm. Top to down: Cucumber Mint, Watermelon, Coconut & Pear, Sweet Mandarin, Original.

In 1998, Burt's Bees was offering over 100 natural personal care products in 4,000 locations with sales in excess of $8 million. Distribution had reached national retailers, such as Whole Foods Market, and restaurant chains, such as Cracker Barrel. New product offerings branched into travel-sized skin care and hair care products. [2] In 1999, with increasing demand and an increase in product offerings, including sugar and milk-based body lotions and bath products; Burt's Bees relocated to Durham among the many other enterprises located in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. An eCommerce website was launched, increasing distribution to a much larger, nationwide scale. [2]

In 1999, Quimby bought out Shavitz's one-third stake in the company, in exchange for a house in Maine, valued at approximately $130,000. [11]

2000–2006: New products and AEA

Burt's Bees Products, Sep 2012 Burt's Bees Products, Sep 2012.JPG
Burt's Bees Products, Sep 2012

During 2002 and 2003, Burt's Bees launched its first toothpaste, first shampoo, and its successful Baby Bee product line of infant personal care products. Co-founder Quimby also used company-earned profits to preserve 185,000 acres (750 km2) of forest land in Maine, marking the beginning of a relationship with The Nature Conservancy, an international organization engaged in environmental protection and conservation. [2]

In 2004, private equity firm AEA Investors purchased 80% of Burt's Bees for US$173,000,000, with co-founder Quimby retaining a 20% share, and a seat on the company board. [12] Upon seeking compensation from Quimby, after the deal, Shavitz was paid $4 million. [11]

2007–present: Clorox acquisition

As of 2007, the company manufactured over 197 products, [2] which are distributed globally. [2] In late 2007, Clorox acquired Burt's Bees for a reported sum of $925 million USD. [13] The company subsequently released a statement to its customers. [14]

In February 2011, Burt's Bees CEO (2006–2011) John Replogle left to become CEO and president of Seventh Generation Inc. [15] In 2011, Nick Vlahos, a 15-year veteran of The Clorox Company, was named vice president and general manager of Burt's Bees, effective April 2011. [16] In 2017, Vlahos left Clorox and was named CEO of the Honest Company. By February 2014, the Clorox Company had increased "advertising and sales promotion spending for Burt's Bees, particularly for its lip care lines". At the time, "Burt's Bees sales [were] outpacing volume due to price increases". [17]

Co-founder Shavitz died in July 2015 at the age of 80 and was buried in Bangor, Maine. In his final years, he had lived on 37-acre (15 ha) plot of land in Parkman, Maine. [18]

In 2017, Burt's Bees introduced a full cosmetics line, including products such as foundation, mascara, eye shadow, and blush. [19]

As of March 2018, Burt's Bees lip balm had reached such a level of popularity that some reports claimed one tube of the lip balm was purchased every second. [20]

In 2022, Burt's Bees announced a multi-year partnership with rePurpose Global to finance a critical recycling infrastructure that prevents plastic waste from flowing into the ocean. [21]

In January 2024, the company announced a partnership with Hidden Valley Ranch to introduce limited-edition flavors including regular ranch, buffalo sauce, crunchy celery, and fresh carrot. The products came in response to an April Fool's social media post. [22]

Documentary film

In August 2014, a documentary film, Burt's Buzz, by Jody Shapiro, which details the history between the company co-founders, was released. [23] [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beeswax</span> Natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus Apis

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus Apis. The wax is formed into scales by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal segments of worker bees, which discard it in or at the hive. The hive workers collect and use it to form cells for honey storage and larval and pupal protection within the beehive. Chemically, beeswax consists mainly of esters of fatty acids and various long-chain alcohols.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lip balm</span> Skin care product

Lip balm or lip salve is a wax-like substance applied typically to the lips to moisturize and relieve chapped or dry lips, angular cheilitis, stomatitis, or cold sores. Lip balm often contains beeswax or carnauba wax, camphor, cetyl alcohol, lanolin, paraffin, and petrolatum, among other ingredients. Some varieties contain dyes, flavor, fragrance, phenol, salicylic acid, and sunscreen.

ChapStick is a brand name of lip balm manufactured by Suave Brands Company, a subsidiary of private equity firm Yellow Wood Partners, and is used in many countries worldwide. It is intended to help treat and prevent chapped lips, hence the name. Many varieties also include sunscreen in order to prevent sunburn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmex</span> Brand of lip balm

Carmex is a brand of lip balm produced by Carma Laboratories, Inc. It is sold in jars, sticks, and squeezable containers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clorox</span> American global manufacturer and marketer based in Oakland, California

The Clorox Company is an American global manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products. As of 2020 the Oakland, California-based company had approximately 8,800 employees worldwide. Net sales for the 2020 fiscal year were US$6.7 billion. Ranked annually since 2000, Clorox was named number 474 on Fortune magazine's 2020 Fortune 500 list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seventh Generation Inc.</span> American eco-friendly household products company

Seventh Generation, Inc. is an American company selling eco-friendly cleaning, paper, and personal care products. Established in 1988, the Burlington, Vermont–based company distributes products to natural food stores, supermarkets, mass merchants, and online retailers. In 2016, Anglo-Dutch consumer goods company Unilever acquired Seventh Generation for an estimated $700 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom's of Maine</span>

Tom's of Maine is a brand name and manufacturing company of natural personal care products. Tom's of Maine has been a majority-owned subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive since 2006. The company's products are sourced and derived from nature, with formulas that are free of artificial flavors, fragrances, colors, sweeteners, and preservatives. The products are not tested on animals, and the company claims that its ingredient processing is supportive of human and environmental health. While most of the company's products are vegan, some products contain propolis and/or beeswax sourced from bees. The company was founded in 1970 by Tom Chappell and Kate Chappell in Maine, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honey extraction</span> Process of harvesting honey from honeycomb

Honey extraction is the central process in beekeeping of removing honey from honeycomb so that it is isolated in a pure liquid form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burt Shavitz</span> American beekeeper

Ingram Berg Shavitz professionally known as Burt Shavitz, was an American beekeeper and businessman notable for founding the Burt's Bees personal care products company with businesswoman Roxanne Quimby. Shavitz's likeness is featured on the Burt's Bees products.

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John Replogle is a Founding Partner of One Better Ventures and the former CEO of Seventh Generation Inc., a U.S.-based, consumer product company.

Roxanne Quimby is an American businesswoman notable for founding the North Carolina-based Burt's Bees personal-care products company with the eponymous beekeeper Burt Shavitz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beezin'</span> Application of lip balm to eyelids

Beezin' is the practice of applying Burt's Bees brand lip balm, often menthol or peppermint flavored, to one's eyelids. This practice, besides causing a stinging in the eyes, is purported to induce or heighten the sensation of being drunk or high, or create a state or perceived state of enhanced alertness. Some commentators have claimed that the practice is not widespread as claimed or is entirely made up, an example of a moral panic.

Donald R. Knauss is an American business executive. He is the former CEO of Clorox.

Benno O. Dorer is a German businessperson. With the entirety of his career in the consumer goods industry, he has been the CEO and Chair of Clorox since November 2014 and August 2016, respectively. He began his career with Procter & Gamble, in 1990, then held a series of senior positions at Clorox, starting in 2005, then becoming CEO in 2014. An original signatory to the CEO Action for Diversity and inclusion pledge; Dorer was the highest-rated CEO in the United States in the Glassdoor 2017 Employees' Choice Awards. He serves on the board of directors of the VF Corporation, and is vice-chair of the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savannah Bee Company</span> American retail company

Savannah Bee Company is an American company based in Savannah, Georgia and founded by Ted Dennard in 2002. The company sells honey-related products and books, beauty products, beverages, and candles. The Savannah Bee Company has 15 locations in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikaila Ulmer</span> American entrepreneur (born 2004)

Mikaila Ulmer is an American entrepreneur who started a lemonade business in Austin, Texas. Her lemonade is sold in over 1500 stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grove Collaborative</span> American e-commerce company

Grove Collaborative is a benefit corporation headquartered in San Francisco. The company is an e-commerce retailer that sells natural household and personal care beauty products.

Nick Vlahos is an American businessman and the chief executive officer of The Honest Company. Vlahos formerly was the vice-president of Burt's Bees and chief operating officer of The Clorox Company.

References

  1. ↑ "Burt's Bees" . Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Our History – Burt's Bees". Archived from the original on 2016-09-24. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  3. ↑ "Company FAQs - Burt's Bees". Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  4. ↑ Ohnesorge, Lauren K. (2017-11-28). "Burt's Bees confirms management shuffle in Durham" . Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  5. ↑ Jones, Amanda (2005-02-10). "Burt's Bees leases more space, plans to add 50 jobs". Triangle Business Journal. American City Business Journals, Inc. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  6. ↑ "Our Mission and Vision - Burt's Bees". Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
  7. ↑ "Our Products". Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  8. 1 2 3 "Our History". Archived from the original on 2016-09-24. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  9. 1 2 "The Burt's Bees Story". Archived from the original on 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  10. ↑ "Burt's Bees Celebrates their 30th Anniversary". whatutalkingboutwillis.com. 2014-10-23. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  11. 1 2 Story, Louise (6 January 2008). "Can Burt's Bees Turn Clorox Green?". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  12. ↑ Singer, Natasha (2007-05-16). "It's Not Just Honey". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  13. ↑ Farrell, Andrew (October 21, 2007). "Clorox To Buy Burt's Bees". Forbes .
  14. ↑ "A Letter to Our Loyal Customers" Archived 2007-12-17 at the Wayback Machine at the Burt's Bees official website, archived 17 December 2007.
  15. ↑ "Seventh Generation Names John Replogle to Serve as CEO and President". February 9, 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  16. ↑ "Clorox names Vlahos as Burt's Bees boss". April 6, 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  17. ↑ Ohnesorge, Lauren (February 4, 2014). "Clorox still banking on Burt's Bees". BizJournal. Retrieved 2015-01-18.
  18. ↑ "Burt Shavitz from Burt's Bees Buried in Bangor". Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Associated Press. July 14, 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-14.
  19. ↑ Wirt, Sophie. "Burt's Bees Full Makeup Range Is Drugstore Minimalism at Its Best". Allure . Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  20. ↑ MacKenzie, Macaela (March 12, 2018). "A Tube of Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Is Sold Every Second". Allure . Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Burt's Bees and rePurpose Global Launch Landmark Ocean Plastic Prevention Initiative". Prnewswire (Press release). Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Burt's Bees, Hidden Valley Ranch launch lip balm inspired by buffalo chicken wings". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  23. ↑ Feloni, Richard (August 29, 2014). "A New Documentary Reveals The Crazy Drama Between The Founders Of Burt's Bees". Business Insider . Retrieved 2015-01-18.
  24. ↑ Steven Kurutz (July 16, 2014). "Burt Shavitz, the World's Most Famous Retired Beekeeper". The New York Times . Retrieved January 16, 2019.
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