Last Updated on 07/14/2021 by GS Staff
Is Seventh Generation Publicly Traded?
Seventh Generation is owned by the giant consumer goods company, Unilever. While you cannot purchase Seventh Generation stock, you can buy shares of Unilever. However, you will be investing in much more than just Seventh Generation if you purchase Uniliver stock. Read on for more details.
How To Invest In Seventh Generation?
You cannot purchase shares of Seventh Generation since it is not publicly traded. However, its parent company, Unilever, trades under the stock symbol UL on the New York Stock Exchange. You can purchase shares through most online brokers such as Ally and TD Ameritrade.
When Did Unilever Acquire Seventh Generation?
Unilever acquired Seventh Generation in 2016 for $700 million. The Burlington, Vermont company made over $200 million in revenue in 2015. John Replogle, the CEO of Seventh Generation at the time, stated the following regarding the deal,
“Working together we are confident we can have a positive impact on the health of billions of people around the world, truly fulfilling our mission of nurturing the next seven generations while transforming global commerce.”
Was Seventh Generation Ever Public?
Yes, the company went public in 1993. Its shares were priced at $5/share during the initial public offering (IPO). However, the company purchased back all its stock in 1999.
What Does Unilever Own?
Seventh Generation is just one piece of the multinational Unilever that is composed of three segments. These segments are Beauty & Personal Care, Foods & Refreshment, and Home Care. To give you an idea of what Unilever owns, here is a list of some of its larger brands:
| Brand | Description |
|---|---|
| Hellman’s | The brand is known for producing the top-selling mayonnaise in the United States |
| Lipton | The best-selling brand of tea globally |
| Ben & Jerry’s | The maker of premium ice cream was purchased by Unilever in 2000 |
| Popsicle | The popular dessert treats loved by kids |
| Maille | The condiment manufacturer that has been in business since 1747 is known for its mustards |
| Dove | A brand of personal care products such as shampoos, body washes, and lotions |
| Axe | This grooming brand is geared toward men. It produces body spray, deodorant, antiperspirant, body wash, and more |
| Vasoline | The well-known brand makes products with petroleum jelly |
Unilever owns many other brands not listed above, but based on this sampling you can get an idea of the size of the company. As another example of the size of Unilever, Kraft Heinz attempted to purchase the company in 2017 for $143 billion in cash and stock. Unilever was opposed to the deal which caused Kraft Heinz to withdraw its bid. In other words, Seventh Generation is a small piece of the enormous Unilever.
Final Thoughts
We do not recommend investing in Unilever simply because they own Seventh Generation. There are numerous other brands that play a greater part in generating revenue. Be sure to evaluate all components of the business before investing. Unfortunately, we likely won’t see a Seventh Generation stock in the foreseeable future. The closest you will get to Seventh Generation is an investment in Unilever.
Sources:
Image Credit – Steven Depolo/flickr
Unilever to Acquire Seventh Generation, Inc. Business Wire. (2016, September 19). https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160919006090/en/Unilever-to-Acquire-Seventh-Generation-Inc.
Gara, A. (2017, February 19). Kraft Heinz Withdraws Its $143 Billion Bid For Unilever. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoinegara/2017/02/19/kraft-heinz-withdraws-its-143-billion-bid-for-unilever/?sh=3787e5904063.
