Bigelow Certified as B Corp
Bigelow is the latest US Benefit Corporation
US
Bigelow Tea has joined a very small number of companies certified as B Corporations, where B stands for benefits. These companies have shown a proven commitment to making their business “a positive force for social and environmental change.”
The B impact assessment is rigorous with scores governance, workers, community, and environment. There are around 2,700 B Corps worldwide, in 150 industry sectors.
Bigelow is the largest US specialty tea company. It joins a small number of other B Corp tea firms, mostly privately owned. Each has built a distinctive identity, with their branding centered on a strong corporate mission not just of social contribution, but of innovation in sourcing, blending, packaging, sustainable farming, smallholder grower collaboration, etc.
They all have some “first”, ranging from Bigelow introducing foil-wrapped tea bags to ensure freshness, to Clipper’s announcement of the world’s first fully recyclable and biodegradable bag, Teatulia’s adoption of a comprehensive Japanese natural farming method, and Numi’s leadership initiatives in opensource collaboration in packaging. A distinguishing aspect of Bigelow is that it differs from the others by being a heritage company, 75 years old with a sustained record of leadership and growth maintained through three generations of management. Its revenues are estimated at around $100 million.
It is an exemplar of the innovative small firm grown big – and still innovative, inheriting the original values and sustaining them through strong management, and taking care of workers. The firms that can make the new entrant to heritage transition then have the B as part of their DNA. It’s not an add-on, new business model or rallying cry.