Mates condoms are a brand of condom sold in the UK.
 | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Tagline | Mates, Signs of Sexy |
| Website | mates |
History
editThe brand was launched in the UK in 1987 by Richard Branson, with its condoms intended as a low cost alternative to more expensive brands.[1][2] In November 1987 the company aired the first condom advert on British television.[3]
In 1988, a year after launch, Richard Branson sold the company and brand to Ansell for 1 million pounds.[4] The condom division in Ansell, of which Mates was a part, was sold in 2017 to Humanwell Healthcare Group and CITIC Capital China Partners for 600 million dollars.[5]
Structure
editFor many years the company in the UK was operated from Staffordshire, between the A51 and the West Coast Main Line, having relocated from South Elmsall in West Yorkshire.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Clark, Andrew (2014-04-14). "Mates runs out of friends with sales at a premium". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
- ^ Schawbel, Dan. "Richard Branson on Screw Business As Usual". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
- ^ Toureille, Claire (2017-11-13). "30 years on, remembering the day the UK aired its first TV ad campaign for condoms". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
- ^ The Unauthorized Guide to Doing Business the Richard Branson Way, Des Dearlove
- ^ Ansell offloads condom division for $600m, BBC, 25 May 2017