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.[1][2] While most of its products are vegan, some contain propolis and/or beeswax sourced from bees.[3]
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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 dentifrices to earn the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance.
In 2006, a controlling 84% stake in Tom's of Maine was purchased by Colgate-Palmolive for USD $100,000,000[4]; 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.[4]