Hasta La Ideas

Method has a new owner. The design- and sustainability-minded company has been acquired by a kindred spirit in Belgium-based Ecover, which purchased Method for an undisclosed amount from San Francisco Equity Partners. The private equity firm first invested in Method in 2005 and saw sales grow by approximately 400 percent over the past seven years. Last month, Method debuted its first designer collaboration, splashing Orla Kiely‘s stylized patterns on hand washes and home cleaners.

Ecover, founded in 1980 and available at retail since 1989, is something of a pioneer in the eco-friendly cleaning products biz (plant-based ingredients, innovative packaging) and is touting the Method deal as creating “the world’s largest green cleaning company,” with combined sales of $200 million and around 300 employees. Although the plan is to join forces with Ecover when it comes to research and development, supply chain resources, and other complementary capabilities, Method will remain headquartered in San Francisco as a distinct brand. Cue the Method marching band:

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