Tom's of Maine is owned by Colgate-Palmolive (the United States, NYSE: CL), which acquired the brand on 1 May 2006.[1][2] Tom's of Maine was founded in 1970 in the United States and was independent until 2006.
Tom's of Maine was founded in 1970 by Tom and Kate Chappell, who made personal care products without artificial ingredients and published their full ingredient lists long before that was common. Colgate-Palmolive acquired a controlling stake in 2006 for $100 million while leaving the founders in operational control.
Colgate-Palmolive bought 84 per cent of Tom's of Maine for about $100 million, leaving the founders with the rest. Tom's had been built on natural ingredients and a refusal to test on animals, and the sale to a mass-market giant was contentious among the customers it had attracted on exactly those grounds.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the parent company of Tom's of Maine?
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The parent company of Tom's of Maine is Colgate-Palmolive, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States.
Is Tom's of Maine American?
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Yes. Tom's of Maine originated in the United States in 1970 and its owner, Colgate-Palmolive, is also headquartered in the United States.
When did Colgate-Palmolive buy Tom's of Maine?
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Colgate-Palmolive completed its acquisition of Tom's of Maine on 1 May 2006, after announcing the deal on 21 March 2006.
Who owned Tom's of Maine before Colgate-Palmolive?
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Tom's of Maine was an independent company from its founding in 1970 until Colgate-Palmolive acquired it in 2006.
Is Tom's of Maine still owned by Colgate-Palmolive?
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Yes. As of 8 September 2026, Tom's of Maine is still owned by Colgate-Palmolive. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.
Sources (2) & corrections
Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.