Founded in 1937 by Alfred Woelbing, the Franklin-based maker of Carmex Lip Balm has been a staple for cold-sore and chapped lips. Today, it sells 130 products every minute and is a must-have beauty staple in 25 countries worldwide.
Woelbing’s grandsons Paul and Eric run Carma Laboratories Inc. They’re making sure that their family business continues to thrive in the face of challenges.
It’s a family business
Carmex Lip Balm is a popular lip balm that is sold in stores all over the world. Its yellow jars have become a familiar symbol of the company. That began in Milwaukee in 1937 and is now based out of Franklin, Wisconsin. It is family owned and run, and its third generation of workers work in the factory.
Carmex was created by Alfred Woelbing, who had to deal with his own chapped lips. And decided to make a medicated formula for his friends and family. He began leaving samples and cards for people to purchase his product in the Milwaukee area. And word-of-mouth became a big part of its growth.
Its success prompted the Woelbing family to expand its business in the 1950s. In the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa, they rented a facility where they produced and distributed their products. Today, Carmex is sold worldwide and a large percentage of its sales are exported to Australia and Europe.
Promotion opportunities
Despite little advertising and few sales promotion opportunities. Carmex is still the third-largest seller of Carmex Lip Balm in the U.S., according to market research firm Kline & Co. It primarily relies on recommendations from pharmacists and consumers to stay in business.
The family-run company has evolved over the years. But it’s still focused on the same concept that Woelbing used 80 years ago: offering a quality Carmex Lip Balm in a variety of flavors. It plans to introduce two new varieties of its Click Stick this fall, most likely a cherry and a strawberry. Then it will expand the line to include licorice, bubble gum, watermelon, and chocolate in subsequent years.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the formulas that Carmex uses. It still uses menthol, camphor, lanolin, and cocoa butter to soothe and soften the skin of your lips.
But it also includes vitamins and minerals that help strengthen your skin and keep it healthy. It’s a combination of ingredients that have been shown to be beneficial for your health. And it is one that you can trust.
But while Carmex continues to attract customers. It is facing challenges in the future as it grows in size and expands its distribution. It needs to think about how it can become more environmentally friendly, especially when it ships its ingredients overseas. The company could look into using energy-efficient synthetic materials. They are harmless and effective but don’t require high amounts of energy input to manufacture or transport.
It’s made in the U.S.A.
Carmex is one of the world’s largest makers of Carmex Lip Balm and it’s manufactured in the U.S. Despite its size, it produces a slew of innovative products that keep your lips moisturized and healthy.
Its main claim to fame is its Carmex original formula. Which has long been recognized for its high performance and long-lasting moisture. Its latest iteration – Carmex Original Formula Moisturizing Lip Balm SPF 15 – adds even more sun protection.
The company is based in Franklin, Wisconsin, and is home to about 250 employees. Paul Woelbing, the grandson of founder Alfred Woelbing, has taken a hands-on approach to grow his family’s business.
He recently hired Jona Mancuso as chief marketing officer, a move. That is part of a broader re-alignment of the leadership team. The move was prompted by the fact that Carmex needed a strategic re-alignment of its product portfolio to stay competitive. And meet consumer demands, says Mancuso.
The company also tapped into the gizmo scene by making its iconic yellow-capped jars a thing of the past. And launching the new Carmex original formula in a squeezable tube. The squeezable tube is a big hit with consumers. Who appreciate the convenience of having a small, easy-to-use bottle at their fingertips. That has allowed the company to continue its innovation cycle and re-position itself as the leader in the market.
It’s a trusted brand
The Carmex brand is a trusted name that has been on the market for years. Known for its healing properties, it’s been a staple in the lives of many people.
The brand has become a household name in the United States. And is known for its ability to cure chapped lips. It is also used to help with cold sores.
It has been around for over 80 years and has a loyal following. The Carmex Lip Balm is made with ingredients that moisturize the skin and protect it from the elements.
In addition, it has been proven to be safe to use. It has a mild formula that does not contain toxic ingredients like formaldehyde, which can absorb through the skin.
Carmex contains a blend of petrolatum, lanolin, beeswax, camphor, menthol, and flavorings. It also includes salicylic acid to help remove dead skin cells.
Properly healing
Not recommended for use on a tattoo or on the nose. As it may prevent the tattoo from properly healing. It can also irritate the skin on your nose and cause a tingling sensation.
Since it was first introduced, the Carmex brand has grown to include a range of products. Including tubes and premium Carmex Lip Balm sticks. The company is now looking to grow in new markets and expand its product lines.
To do so, it is trying to improve its distribution system by selling directly to retailers instead of through wholesalers. That way, it can close gaps in distribution that would otherwise have occurred.
The company has also introduced a new look that emphasizes its yellow and red labels. This new upscale design makes it easier for consumers to choose the right product and communicates specific brand benefits. The company said in a press release.
Carma Laboratories, the manufacturer of Carmex, is a Franklin-based company that has been in business for more than 80 years. It was founded by Alfred Woelbing, who had been a cosmetics buyer before losing his job in the Great Depression. He began making the product for personal use and sold it through pharmacies, which helped him survive.
Read more: 5 Natural Ingredients That Moisturize and Heal Your Lips
It’s the real you
It’s hard to deny that Carmex is a pillar of the Carmex Lip Balm universe if not a household name. The iconic yellow-capped jar has been around for decades and its most recent incarnation is a squeezable tube.
As for the company itself, it’s a family-owned and operated business. That started out in a small Milwaukee home in 1937. Since then, it has grown to be a global brand with a slew of products. To cater to any and every lip-related need.
The company is also a technological marvel with its proprietary spherical particles. They design to mimic the molecular structure of human skin cells. Thus, the impressive re-moisturizing properties.
There are many things that make this one of the best companies to work for. But there’s something about the brand that makes it feel like a home away from home. From the smiling faces and a cozy work environment to the perks. Like employee discounts and free lunches. There are many reasons why employees at Carmex are proud to call this a place where they’ve made a home.
In the end, it’s all about being the best version of yourself that you can be. That’s what made the company a great fit for me.
