Who Owns PG Tips?
PG Tips is owned by Lipton Teas and Infusions since 2022, with Unilever retaining ownership in India, Nepal, and Indonesia. Launched in 1930 by Brooke Bond as Pre-Gest-Tea, PG Tips became part of Unilever in 1984. The brand is known for its pyramid tea bags and famous chimpanzee advertising campaigns, with Unilever maintaining control in key Asian markets.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Acquired
1984
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Manchester, United Kingdom
Who Owns PG Tips?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Partially owned
- Acquisition Year: 1984
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| PG Tips | Unilever plc | Partially owned |
History of PG Tips
- Founded: 1930
- Founders: Brooke Bond & Company
- Acquired by Unilever plc: 1984
PG Tips was launched in 1930 by Brooke Bond & Company in the United Kingdom under the name "Pre-Gest-Tea." The name implied that it could be drunk as a digestive aid prior to eating food. Grocers and salesmen abbreviated it to "PG." Following World War II, labeling regulations ruled out describing tea as aiding digestion, and by 1950-1951 the PG name was adopted.
The company added "Tips" referring to the fact that only the tips (the top two leaves and bud) of the tea plants are used in the blend. The Brooke Bond name has now been dropped from all packaging and the product is known simply as PG Tips.
PG Tips became famous for its innovative advertising campaigns, particularly featuring chimpanzees. The brand's most iconic campaigns included:
- **The Tipps family** (1956-2002)
- **The T-Birds** (2002-2005)
- **The Monkey** (2007-2024, returning in 2025)
The chimpanzee advertising campaign, featuring chimps performing human-like activities, became one of the most recognizable advertising campaigns in British television history. The campaign was known for its humor and the catchphrase "They do tend to get a bit frustrated."
In 1985, PG Tags, tea bags with a string, were launched. In 1996, tetrahedron-shaped tea bags, branded as "Pyramid Bags," were introduced. The tetrahedral bag was designed to help the tea leaves move more freely, as loose tea moves in a teapot, and supposedly create a better infusion.
In 2023, PG Tips announced the creation of a quick-brew teabag that could brew a cup of tea in 60 seconds, resulting in the teabags being "the market's only square tea bags" at the cost of discontinuing the pyramid bags.
About Unilever plc
What does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing (Dove, Vaseline, TRESemme, Pond's), Personal Care (Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lux, Lifebuoy, Close Up), Home Care (Domestos, Cif, Surf, Omo, Comfort), and Nutrition (Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton, Marmite). Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever no longer owns Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, or Breyers. The company also owns approximately 61% of Hindustan Unilever Limited, a publicly listed subsidiary in India.
Is Unilever publicly traded?
Yes, Unilever plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker ULVR and on Euronext Amsterdam under ticker UNA. American Depositary Receipts are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker UL. The company does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom.
Who founded Unilever?
Unilever was formed in 1929 through the merger of Lever Brothers, a British soap company founded by William Hesketh Lever in 1885, and Margarine Unie, a Dutch margarine producer formed through the merger of the Jurgens and Van den Bergh companies in 1927. The founders of the predecessor companies include William Lever, James Darcy Lever, Antonius Johannes Jurgens, and Samuel van den Bergh.
Where is Unilever headquartered?
Unilever is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company's registered office and principal executive offices are located in London. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom and ending the separate Unilever N.V. Dutch entity. The company's shares continue to trade on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam.
How many brands does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Nutrition. The company's largest brands by revenue include Dove, Hellmann's, Knorr, Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lipton, Vaseline, Domestos, and Cif. Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever's portfolio no longer includes ice cream brands such as Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, and Breyers.
Who owns Unilever?
Unilever plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and index funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Unilever. Fernando Fernandez serves as CEO, having been appointed in March 2025 following the departure of Hein Schumacher. The company's board includes a majority of independent non-executive directors.
- Founded: 1929
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: ULVR
Where Is PG Tips Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Manchester, United Kingdom
- Manufacturing / Operations: Global facilities (Lipton Teas and Infusions), Unilever facilities (retained markets)
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PG Tips Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Over 95 years of tea expertise backed by extensive R&D investment
- +Strong heritage brand recognition in key Asian markets
- +Innovative packaging technology with pyramid and square tea bags
- +Iconic advertising campaigns and brand recognition
- +Trusted reputation for quality tea products and affordable pricing
Considerations
- -Complex ownership structure following 2022 partial sale
- -Competition from other global tea brands and specialty teas
- -Dependency on global tea supply chains and weather conditions
- -Need to adapt to changing consumer preferences for premium and specialty teas
- -Market fragmentation across different ownership structures
Frequently Asked Questions About PG Tips
Where to Buy
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