Who Owns Burt's Bees?
Burt's Bees is owned by The Clorox Company, a publicly traded American multinational manufacturer listed on the NYSE (CLX). Clorox acquired Burt's Bees in 2007 and continues to operate it as their natural personal care brand.
Parent Company
The Clorox Company
Acquired
2007
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Durham, North Carolina, USA
Who Owns Burt's Bees?
- Parent Company: The Clorox Company
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2007
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: CLX
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Burt's Bees | The Clorox Company | Wholly owned |
History of Burt's Bees
- Founded: 1984
- Founders: Burt Shavitz, Roxanne Quimby
- Acquired by The Clorox Company: 2007
Burt's Bees was founded in 1984 after a chance encounter between beekeeper Burt Shavitz and artist Roxanne Quimby in rural Maine. Quimby was hitchhiking to the post office when Shavitz picked her up in his yellow Datsun. Quimby recognized the commercial potential of Shavitz's surplus beeswax and began making hand-dipped candles, which the pair sold at craft fairs and local markets.
The business initially operated out of an abandoned schoolhouse in Guilford, Maine, with Quimby producing candles from Shavitz's beeswax. By the late 1980s, the company had expanded into natural personal care products, with beeswax-based lip balm becoming its signature product. The iconic Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, featuring Shavitz's bearded face on the packaging, became one of the best-selling lip care products in the United States.
Throughout the 1990s, Burt's Bees grew from a small cottage industry into a nationally recognized brand, relocating its headquarters to Durham, North Carolina, in 1994 to better access distribution networks. The company expanded its product line to include soaps, lotions, shampoos, and other personal care items, all emphasizing natural ingredients and sustainable sourcing.
In 2007, The Clorox Company acquired Burt's Bees for approximately $925 million, gaining a foothold in the rapidly growing natural personal care market. Under Clorox ownership, Burt's Bees has continued to expand internationally and diversify its product offerings while maintaining its commitment to natural formulations and environmental responsibility. Burt Shavitz remained associated with the brand until his death in 2015.
About The Clorox Company
What does The Clorox Company own?
The Clorox Company owns a portfolio of consumer brands including Clorox bleach, Glad trash bags, Brita water filters, Pine-Sol, Formula 409, Hidden Valley Ranch, Kingsford charcoal, Burt's Bees natural personal care products, Fresh Step cat litter, and Tilex bathroom cleaner. The company operates primarily in the United States with international operations in Latin America, Canada, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
Is The Clorox Company publicly traded?
Yes, The Clorox Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker CLX. The company has been publicly traded since 1969, when it was divested by Procter and Gamble following an FTC antitrust ruling. Clorox has no single controlling shareholder, with major institutional holders including Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street.
Who founded The Clorox Company?
The Clorox Company was founded in 1913 in Oakland, California by five businessmen: Archibald Taft, Edward Hughes, Charles Husband, William Hussey, and Rufus Myers. The founders each invested $100 to establish the Electro-Alkaline Company, which produced liquid bleach. The company was renamed the Clorox Chemical Company in 1922.
Where is The Clorox Company headquartered?
The Clorox Company is headquartered in Oakland, California, USA. The company has maintained its headquarters in the Oakland area since its founding in 1913. Clorox operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, and the Philippines.
How many brands does The Clorox Company own?
The Clorox Company owns more than 10 major consumer brands, including Clorox, Glad, Brita, Pine-Sol, Formula 409, Hidden Valley, Kingsford, Burt's Bees, Fresh Step, and Tilex. The company sells products in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Who owns The Clorox Company?
The Clorox Company is publicly traded on the NYSE with a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Linda Rendle serves as Chairman and CEO.
- Founded: 1913
- Headquarters: Oakland, California, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: CLX
Where Is Burt's Bees Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, International markets
Brands Owned by The Clorox Company
- Brita - German water filtration brand providing water pitchers, filters, and water filtr...
- Clorox Bleach - American brand of household bleach and cleaning products, the leading bleach bra...
- Formula 409 - American multi-purpose cleaner and degreaser brand known for its effective clean...
- Glad - American food storage and waste management brand providing plastic wrap, food st...
- Hidden Valley - American food brand known for its ranch dressing and salad dressings, offering v...
- Kingsford - American charcoal and grilling fuel brand known for its charcoal briquettes, gri...
- Pine-Sol - American cleaning products brand known for its pine-scented multi-surface cleane...
Burt's Bees Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong brand recognition as a leader in natural personal care products
- +Integration with Clorox's extensive manufacturing and distribution capabilities
- +Commitment to natural ingredients with responsible sourcing practices
- +Comprehensive product range spanning lip care, skincare, body care, and baby care
- +Backed by Clorox's research and development resources for product innovation
Considerations
- -Intense competition from other natural and organic personal care brands
- -Perception challenges from being owned by a company known for chemical cleaning products
- -Need for continuous innovation in natural formulations and sustainable packaging
- -Premium pricing compared to conventional personal care alternatives
- -Dependency on Clorox's corporate strategy and resource allocation priorities
Frequently Asked Questions About Burt's Bees
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