| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 4:11:52 PM
A friend on Twitter posted the link to this story about Burt's Bees. You'll be shocked when you find out who owns the company.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_17306.cfm
Handmade Soap & Lotion Bars http://www.therusticcottagebath.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Mar 31 2009 : 12:59:01 PM
AH! horrible, I think I read that awhile back but forgot. It's amazing what you find out.....OY. I think I'll have to buy off FGs from now on. xo
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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| hattah |
Posted - Mar 31 2009 : 12:52:23 PM
heh I knew the Clorox buy-out. I have met Burt a couple of times...nice/odd. He has a small shop (antique one-room schoolhouse) in Abbot and sells Oriental carpets in the warm months. Though I haven't seen it open often. My daughter was his nearest neighbor in Parkman for awhile and had issues with his rampant doggie.She liked Burt though. I worked in a tourist trap shop in the area for a time and Roxanne used to come through with her friends from time to time and Burt was always trailing along. I felt they were marketing his scruffy old bearded self. lol
She has bought a lot of land here in Maine. Isn't terribly well liked by sportsman or anyone else she has trampled on. BUT she had a parting of the ways with RESTORE according to the Bangor paper a couple of years ago and quite truthfully.......she may well be the only person who owns a tree someday. She has no problem (supposedly) with use of her land as long as it is within her parameters.
I work for a company that maintains a gate system on a few million acres of land here. Owned by logging, private people and Quimby. I believe she is on our board of directors or can be if she chooses because she owns X amount of land. Because of where I work I see from day to day just how much of the land is being cut/savaged. Not a heck of a lot left .
I figure we ought to call Maine in Swamp Alder state,,,,think the Pines are gone now. 
In any case Quimby had a business brain I guess and poor old Burt didn't. I think she always meant to sell bigger and better and buy more and more land. But there are people who work for BB and I am watching to see if they change the product.
I remember when they had a tiny triny storefront in Guilford. And a lot of people complained (after the fact of course) that she took the business out of state. Maine is not noted for its business-friendly I'm afraid. 
"Never spend time with people who do not respect you."
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| KayB |
Posted - Mar 31 2009 : 09:18:52 AM
Now I am confused. Due to the recent problems I've had with my skin I've been using both Aveeno and Burt's Bees with my doctor's blessing. I have noticed, too, that Clorox is coming out with "green" products now, too. What else is there to use? I read labels and I don't get around much, so usually it's Wal-Mart, Target, etc. for me. Any ideas, ladies?
Life's a dance you learn as you go |
| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 09:24:22 AM
Anne,
Thank you so much for the reminder, that change often comes in unconventianal ways. I love Burt's Bee, I think they have done so much to educate about the decline in bee population etc. While I dont work in Corporate any more, I do know that we each get to a cross road where we have to decide things and so do these folks that build up companies. Personally, I choose to live my life supporting what I see as "positive" change..no matter WHO is doing it. I go into walmart.. and I buy ORGANIC. I want my $$$ to show them MY values. If they are doing positive things then I reward that.
I think that there is a truth, that we really dont have the right to "pour into" the lives of people that we dont co-mingle with.... for example: If you arent my friend, then.. I dont care if you like me much. BUT.. if you are my friend... and I disappoint you...........I would be devistated.... Corporations arent much different. If they disappoint customers, that has more impact then if the disappoint non customers it seems to me....I have a voice, everytime I walk into walmart (as an example.....), and walk over to the produce...to voice my view in a loving way to the produce manager... and I do... believe me I do. I point out that I buy Organic.. SO... if "he/she" has it.. I buy it.. if they dont.. then I am off to the next "haunt". Seems to me they have more and more everytime I go in.. (of course having 133 Prosserfarmchicks clucking the same tune, helps I am sure)....
Any true change comes from the ground up.. Kay is right, we need to be informed.. then we need to decide how we are going to "Be the change we want". For me, I like the relationships I build in the produce isles.
More often then not, I shop elsewhere simply because it saves time and I know that they have what I want... but I havent crossed Walmart off my list, I certainly am not throwing Burt out with the bath water because I know that my voice and dollars can be the change I want in the world if I am willing to be an educator in the process.....
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/http://renenaturallyspeaking.blogspot.com/
Circumstances made us FRIENDS; MaryJane's has made us SISTERS :) |
| sjs |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 08:39:28 AM
Yeah, this was a disappointment. And Tom's of Maine is now owned by Colgate, so I can't buy them either. :(
--------------------
Learning to live is learning to let go.
Visit my food blog! http://www.wasabimon.com - natural cooking to live for.
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| GaiasRose |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 5:45:39 PM
I think we had a topic on this when the merger happened! It is unfortunate, but Anne did point out the good points of the merger. I still use Burts, though at first I was just as upset and refused to buy, I haven't been able to find anything as quality, even Kiss My Face. Their baby products are the only products my little psoriasis babies can handle besides my own and frankly, I am taking the lazy way out until my kids are all older. I just haven't the time to make anything more than my laundry soap and candles. I didn't even get to make my bar soap this winter like I usually do!
Of course companies are doing it for money, what else would be their number one motivator? Second is most likely ingredient use and making things better that people put on and in their bodies, but isn't the motivation for any person selling their wares, money?
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs:
http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
Etsy:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
"Joyful chaos, working in tune with the seasons, telling itme by the sun, variety, change and self-direction; all this wwas replaced with a brutal, standardized work culture, the effects of which we are still suffering from today." - Tom Hodgkinson in 'How To Be Idle' |
| knittingmom |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 4:06:52 PM
Yeah I had heard they were purchased by Clorox, that is too bad.
I use Kiss my Face and love it, they're still owned by the people who founded them. Good, ethical personal care products.
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world" |
| Linder |
Posted - Mar 23 2009 : 08:20:30 AM
Awesome response to the topic Anne! I love Burt's and in an economy that has been suffering it is a great comfort to know that Clorox did not move the factory and put an entire community out of work.
They may have purchased Burt's for the profit but in the long run don't we all benefit from a natural product that gets more exposure and wider use?
And Anna, believe it or not there's about 5 different kinds of Kombucha on the shelves at a few of the Natural markets that I visit.
It has gotten SO expensive that I have been making my own kombucha for about 8 months now and I LOVE IT!
I don't think we'll have to worry too much as it'll take ages for folks to become accustomed to the taste! LOL!
Fingers crossed that it'll remain own secret.
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"
www.mylusciousjourney.blogspot.com |
| Sue Feely |
Posted - Mar 22 2009 : 7:53:51 PM
Kay -
Thanks for the info; I too kept Burt's lip balm in my purses year round! You just never know unless things are from MJF or us farmgirls!
Sue Feely
Sister #349 |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Mar 22 2009 : 6:00:37 PM
I was under the inpression Burt's Bees was bought out by Colgate. Which I see I got wrong.
It has been a couple of years since I heard about it so I think I was confusing my c's.
It is disappointing to see the little guys giving up and selling out to the BIG companies. That's what makes a monopoly.
It all about money I guess.
Denise
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| Room To Grow |
Posted - Mar 22 2009 : 5:44:00 PM
Ben and Jerry's owned by Breyers...what a disapointment. And for 9 yrs too...
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Mar 22 2009 : 2:05:38 PM
I work for corporate America and you might want to take a second look before you dismiss Burt's Bees. I am not saying that all Corporations have the best intentions, but many are trying to change their ways. For one thing Burt's Bees did not leave their facility in North Carolina, a move made before the sale to Clorox for cheaper labor and taxes. Thus the local economy was not effected, in fact due to the sale to Clorox the employees are getting better pay and bonuses. Also the philosophy and the ingredients used to make Burt's Bee products is still the same wholesome ingredients, because it is run by the same management and individuals before the sale to Clorox. This was not a pressure buy either, Quimby always intended to sell. She has taken that money and used it to run a new business called Happy Green Bee, a company that makes organic clothing for children. She says she spent more than $50 million to buy 100,000 acres where she tries to restore the land to its natural state by blocking hunting, closing roads and dismantling bridges. Thus taking that corporate money and putting it to good use. The CEO of Burt's Bees is now monitoring Clorox - ask of defending Clorox’s purchase of Burt’s Bees has fallen on Mr. Replogle’s shoulders. He says that in six months, he will post a blog on the Burt’s Bees site about whether he thinks Clorox is making enough progress on its green initiatives. He says Burt’s Bees’ 380 employees have an opportunity to influence the direction of Clorox, a company that generated $4.8 billion in sales last year and employs 7,800 people. Burt’s Bees maintains its founders’ green philosophies. Employees’ bonuses are based in part on how well the company meets energy conservation goals, and there are prime parking spaces for staff members who drive hybrid cars or carpool. It buys offsets for 100 percent of its carbon emissions and is working toward a goal of sending no trash to landfills by 2020.
Sometimes Corporate money helps a good business become better, just try to keep an open mind and monitor Burt's Bees and Clorox and see if they fulfill their promise. Because just by stopping the purchase of the product really hurts the Burt' Bees division, which hurts the employees, which hurts the local North Carolina economy. Look at the whole picture first before you judge.
I know that if my company was not supported by the money of the large corporation that owns us, we would not be in business today and I and 600 + employees would be out of work which would effect the local economy our company is located in.
Anne in Portland,OR
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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| Annab |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 5:19:01 PM
Check out the validity in this too, but I recently found out that trader Joe's is also owned by Aldi which is a German company AND, is the #1 competitor against Wal-Mart. Aldi is the only company that has Wallly world quaking in its boots.
I had known about Burt's Bees when the merge/takeover happened in '07.
Clorox does have the better for the envoronment products now.
I'm slightly disapointed though only because I like buying stuff that is not only really natural/better for me, but is uncommon and non-mainstream. I can't STAND trendy!
Zum makes a great hand salve that smells spot on like lavender, so i use this now.
I'll start screaming if Kombucha ever goes mainstream |
| Jami |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 09:36:27 AM
Thanks for sharing this article, Kay. Definitely will help me make future buying decisions.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
| Ingrid |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 09:21:08 AM
Buying local is the way to go. At least that way you know what is in the product and where it comes from.
Ingrid
Give thanks to yourself everyday for all the wonderful things you do! |
| Niamh |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 08:52:21 AM
Ugh.
My farming blog: www.localfoodblog.blogspot.com
My living blog:
www.unprocessedfamily.blogspot.com |
| homemom |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 08:10:29 AM
I am so disappointed to hear this.
Ruth
 Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com |
| LauriP |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 08:01:34 AM
>> Wow <<
This is really an eye opener...I'd been wondering why I was suddenly seeing what I'd considered "Small" companies, having large shelves covered with their products in chain grocery stores, and nationwide drugstores. Whatta dunce I feel like!
We used to haul freight for Clorox and a couple other Huge "cleaning" companies..it was always sooo scary. We'd get a sheet telling us about how to "Stay Safe!" -- and specific handling instruction for the boxes of their products. We weren't even supossed to Be handling their products..but the Safety Director had every base covered, so we were given their sheets. Scared me to pieces, thinking of What If..all the way down the Interstate.
Needless to say, I'm rethinking my choices of Organic products from certain stores. Sad Day in the Shopping World..
Laurianne |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 07:23:47 AM
I stopped buying Burt's Bees after the Clorox purchase. I have learned that once a small company is taken over, the big guys destroy the quality and it is no longer worth the extra $.
Dawn in IL |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 11:53:49 PM
You're so welcome! Glad to share the info. What gets me is that these corporations are really not into organics or natural products because it's good for the consumer. They're in it because people want that kind of product and the corporation wants to make money. Sad.
Handmade Soap & Lotion Bars http://www.therusticcottagebath.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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| ranchetta |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 10:24:28 PM
Kay, that's why MJ's (and other) forums are great.......we can share what we find out! Thanks again.
http://curlywillowsranch.blogspot.com/
http://alteredshots.blogspot.com/ |
| createmyworld |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 5:52:30 PM
Wow, I had no idea....thanks for this post Kay
www.createmyworld.etsy.com
"He who works with his hands is a laborer, he who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman, he who works with his hands, head and heart is an artist." -St. Francis of Asisi |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 5:51:50 PM
They were actually purchased by clorox in early 2007. Here is the statement off the Burts Bees website:
Burt's Bees entered an exciting new chapter as a result of our recent sale of the company to The Clorox Company. It's a great opportunity to help us better deliver against our mission of making truly natural personal products available to everyone, everywhere. This new journey gives us the energy and the resources to do even more. You can keep counting on Burt's Bees in the ways you always have. We will always stay steadfast behind our values and commitment to making the best natural personal care products with the most environmentally sensitive packaging and nature-safe manufacturing processes. And, above all, we'll continue on with our social mission to make people's lives better every day, naturally
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 5:44:41 PM
Wow I am with Carol. Mine just went in the trash can...!! Plunk!
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
Klamath Falls "Charming Chicks Chapter" Mother Hen
Almost daily posts at:
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
You never know when what you say or do will make a difference...Kerry Kennedy
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| Alee |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 5:41:42 PM
I agree- People who make small batches of product are the way to go! People like you Kay, and if I may say so- myself! I would love to some day make products that get sold on store shelves all over the country, but if that means that I lose quality control and have to expand to the point where I can no longer point to a jar, tube or what have you and say "I know exactly what went into that and where it came from" then that is the point in time when I will pull the plug on my business.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
