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Nikwax and Páramo become an employee-owned business Press Release

© Nikwax

Today is a historic day for the Nikwax Brand. After 45 years of being owner and founder, Nick Brown is passing control to his employees, on three continents, by selling his business to their newly formed Employee Ownership Trust.

Back in 1977, Nick Brown was living in London and had just finished university; he was both unemployed and in love with the outdoors - specifically long-distance walking and backpacking. Nick also had a flair for chemistry and he utilised this talent to create his first product - Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather - which he supplied to the 1980 Royal Geographical Society Karakoram Expedition, and which went on to sell in more than 50 countries.

Over the years, Nikwax has grown to be an international company and has branches in Mainland Europe, North America and South America. Nick went on to develop a highly innovative product - Nikwax TX.Direct® - that is used in a washing machine to restore the waterproofing of breathable waterproof clothing. Subsequently, Nikwax created a range of water-based products for waterproofing aftercare that are both free of solvents and persistent chemicals of concern. Nikwax is the only established waterproofing aftercare brand never to have used PFCs in its formulations (PFCs are associated with cancer and immune system damage, and are now known as the "forever chemicals" because they build up in living tissue). Nikwax's innovation led to its achievement of winning a prestigious 4 Queen's Awards since it began, the last being The Queen's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development in 2014 – the first outdoor brand to do so.

Nick Brown explained how he feels about the transition, 

"By passing on the business to the employees, I feel that I am not only looking after them, but also looking after the interests of our loyal customers. Outdoor people have come to have high expectations of Nikwax, at many levels, and I would not want them to be disappointed. So many companies end up being aggressively taken over and broken up, and lose their soul. This is our best shot at avoiding that and continuing the guiding principles."

The future of Nikwax is in shared ownership – an Employee Ownership Trust Nick Brown is now 67, and whilst he hasn't hung up his boots, he has been preoccupied for more than decade with how to achieve a smooth succession. The Nikwax legacy is one of trying to do business in a responsible way and taking our planet and peoples' future into account. 4 years ago, the idea of an Employee Ownership Trust was suggested by Nick's HSBC Bank Manager, Simon Austin, and that started a long and complex project that comes to fruition today, having been delayed by Covid-19.

Nick Brown  © Nikwax
Nick Brown

Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT) were introduced by the British coalition government in 2014, with a view to both protecting and encouraging employment. The founding concept of an EOT is that it exists for the benefit of the employees and all, in effect, are partners whilst they are employed. Since their introduction, EOTs have become an increasingly popular route for owner/founders to achieve succession, whilst protecting the community of employees they have created. 

And, finally, one percent for the planet and for people Nick has not revealed the details of the deal that he made with his staff, but part of it is a watertight undertaking is that one percent of turnover will be forevermore dedicated to environmental and social projects.

Maïté Angleys, Director of Sustainability for Nikwax, said, "1% for people and planet is about giving back. Nikwax has been here for 45 years and it will still be here in another 45 years' time, which is why we want to do our best to protect the great outdoors for generations to come. To ensure continuity, Nick and his family will be involved in choosing the projects and organisations we support, giving us the chance to preserve our founding values into the future."

Watch this space. With so much already achieved, and the buzzing enthusiasm of the work force, where will Nikwax go next?


For more information Visit the Nikwax website



16 Mar, 2022

Sometimes a like is not enough. Fair play to him for what he’s achieved and what he’s doing for future employees (owners!). Hope he now enjoys a rewarding retirement

18 Mar, 2022

Agreed. A good example of someone who walks the walk.

19 Mar, 2022

Great, just great

21 Mar, 2022

Well done Nick. I changed my business to Employee Owned 10 years ago and then retired somewhat later. I made the change to try to secure a future for the business. The unexpected benefit of EO was that the performance of the business improved on every measure from the day we became EO. My colleagues saw the business as theirs, improved customer service and grew the company. It was the best decision I ever made.

21 Mar, 2022

I do hope it stays employee owned. Is there anything in the contract that prevents them flogging en masse to e.g. private equity for it to be asset stripped? That happens far too often to employee co-operatives, unfortunately - the money is often too good to turn down.

Credit to him for not flogging direct to the private equity vultures, though.


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