Seventh Generation Inc.

Seventh Generation, Inc.
Private
Industry Natural household products
Founded 1988
Headquarters Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
Key people
John Replogle, CEO and President, Jeffrey Hollender, Co-Founder, Alan Newman, Co-Founder
Website http://www.seventhgeneration.com

Seventh Generation, Inc., is an American company that sells cleaning, paper, and personal care products designed with human health and the environment in mind. Established in 1988, the Burlington, Vermont based company remains an independent, privately held company distributing products to natural food stores, supermarkets, mass merchants, and online retailers.

Seventh Generation focuses its marketing and product development on sustainability and the conservation of natural resources, using recycled and post-consumer materials in its packaging, and biodegradable, and plant-based phosphate- and chlorine-free ingredients in its products.

The company attributes the name "Seventh Generation" to the "Great Law of the Iroquois". The company says the document states, "in our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."[1]

1988-1990

1988: Alan Newman acquires Renew America, a mail-order catalog that sells energy-, water- and resource-saving products. After giving the catalog a new look, an enhanced mix of products, and a new name – Seventh Generation – Newman embarks on a campaign to raise funding for the venture.

1989: Entrepreneur and author of How to Make the World a Better Place, Jeffrey Hollender joins Newman and helps secure much-needed capital. First-year sales of $100,000 grow to $7 million two years later.

1989: A mention in the New York Times increases orders seven-fold within a year

1990: 500,000 people request catalog during 20th Anniversary Earth Day celebrations. Seventh Generation launches its own line of non-toxic and recycled household products.

1990:

1991-2000

1992: Newman leaves Seventh Generation to start Magic Hat Brewing Company

1993:

1994: Seventh Generation enters the mass retail market with three products: dishwasher detergent, non-chlorine bleach, and liquid laundry detergent.

1995: Mail-order catalog business sold to Gaiam, Inc. and Seventh Generation focuses solely on its wholesale products business.

1998: Company begins expanding its retail reach

1999: Bolstered by growing success, the company buys back all its stock.

2000: Sales grow nearly 32% per year, reaching $50 million over the next five years. True to its founding values, the company continues to give 10 percent of profits to nonprofit groups.

2001-2005

2001: The company successfully lobbies for the removal of phosphates from automatic dishwashing products

2002: Seventh Generation sets standard of no VOCs in its home care products other than those naturally occurring in essential oils and botanical extracts.

2002: First home care company to specify and produce with low levels of 1,4 dioxane in its laundry and dish care products.

2004: First corporate responsibility report published. Transparency of report becomes key hallmark of company’s position as a leader in the corporate responsibility movement.

2005: Seventh Generation has created more than 70 products and claims 45% of the total sales in the paper and plastic, cleaning, diaper, wipes and feminine hygiene categories, making them the leading seller of natural, non-toxic household products in the United States.

2006-2016

2006: Company moves to new LEED Gold-certified office on the shores of Lake Champlain.

2008:

2009:

2010:

2011: First North American company to launch a bottle featuring a fully recyclable and compostable outer shell made from 70 percent recycled cardboard fibers and 30 percent old newspaper fibers, supporting a recyclable lightweight plastic pouch inside.

2012: Seventh Generation becomes the first consumer product goods company to feature the USDA Certified Biobased label.

2013:

Awards

Seventh Generation has received multiple awards.[6][7]

People

Notes

  1. fastcompany.com, "Profits with Purpose: Seventh Generation". Accessed 19 April 2011.
  2. "Leadership Changes". Archived from the original on 2011-11-06.
  3. "HAPPI". HAPPI. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  4. Contact Name: Jon Scott (2010-06-28). "Detergent Industry’s Voluntary Phosphate Ban: Good News for Water, but A Long Time Coming". Clean Water Action. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  5. "Seventh Generation Picks Up Bobble Brand". The Wall Street Journal. 2013-05-30.
  6. Company News - Functional Ingredients Magazine
  7. The First National Conference on Precaution
  8. Archived 15 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. Alliance for Sustainability - Previous Events: First Annual Sustainability Awards
  10. The 5x5x5 Growth Awards: Service/Retail - Seventh Generation | North America > United States from AllBusiness.com
  11. A Very Convenient Truth: College Students "Tuned in" to Social Responsibility and the Brands Who They Believe are Making a Difference
  12. Nike, HP Win Top Honors in Ceres/ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards | GreenBiz.com
  13. Old vs. new - Brattleboro Reformer
  14. The 2008 Social Capitalist Awards | Fast Company
  15. Convergence 2008 - Orlando - Customer Excellence
  16. Mary K. Pratt (2009-04-20). "Seventh Generation". Computerworld. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  17. "Seventh Generation Names John Replogle to Serve as CEO and President". February 9, 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  18. "Taking the Wheel and Riding On". Seventh Generation. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  19. "Big Changes at". Seventh Generation. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  20. "Important Announcement from". Seventh Generation. Retrieved 2013-12-31.

References

External links

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