Mates condoms
 | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Tagline | Mates, Signs of Sexy |
| Website | mates |
Mates condoms are a brand of condom sold in the UK.
History
The 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
For many years the company in the UK was operated from Staffordshire, between the A51 and the West Coast Main Line.
See also
References
- ^ 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