Our History

1900’s
Frenchman Monsieur Jackel set up his own company in Glasgow to manufacture a unique hair cream for men, which he sold mainly to high-class hairdressing salons and department stores.

1954
The hair cream survived though the years – just – though turnover was down to just £5,000 when the company was bought by a Scottish entrepreneur, Graham McConnochie. Within 10 years he had increased turnover to £250,000 by developing a successful chemists’ sundries business in Scotland.
From that point the company became well known for its exclusive nail and hair products which extended distribution throughout the pharmacy trade.

1960’s
By the mid 60s Jackel were making the nail and hair products at a new base in Northumberland.
The Tommee Tippee range of baby goods was discovered by Graham McConnochie on a trip to America, and Jackel obtained the UK and European manufacturing licence.

1965
Tommee Tippee brand was launched in the UK.

1975
The Guinness Group bought the company.

1983
The company was bought by the Mayborn Group, already well known for its long-established Dylon fabric dyes.

1986
Jackel moved into its present site in Cramlington, offering 150,000 sq ft of manufacturing and warehouse space.

1995
Mayborn opened a manufacturing plant in China. A sourcing company in Hong Kong continues to serve Jackel and other non-group customers worldwide.
The company bought the Maws baby brand with a manufacturing and warehouse plant in Stevenage.

1997
Mayborn bought Sangenic, a company making a unique patented twist and seal nappy disposal system with worldwide distribution from its Mansfield base.

2005
Launch of the unique Closer to Nature bottle and teat, designed to help combine breast and bottle feeding.

2006
The company is acquired by 3i, Europe’s leading private equity company, with the plan to expand the business both within its traditional UK base, and internationally. Nish Kankiwala is introduced as the new Chief Executive.
Closer to Nature wins the prestigious Mother and Baby Award for Best Bottle.
Sangenic wins the Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade.

2008
Closer to Nature again wins the Mother and Baby Award for Best Bottle.

2009
Tommee Tippee voted a UK Superbrand as one of the top 500 brands in the country, as voted for by consumers.
Closer to Nature bottle wins Best Bottle Gold Award in Mother and Baby Awards for the third time.

2010
Tommee Tippee opens an office in the United States and launches the brand in America exclusively through Toys R Us