Overview
Nature’s Way is one of America’s oldest and most recognized natural health brands, founded in 1968 by Tom Murdock in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The company pioneered the herbal supplement industry in the United States and remains a leader in botanical and vitamin supplements.
In 2003, Nature’s Way was acquired by Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, a German pharmaceutical company founded in 1866 that specializes in plant-based medicines.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1968
- Founder: Tom Murdock
- Headquarters: Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
- Parent Company: Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG (since 2003)
- Ultimate Parent: Schwabe Group (Germany, est. 1866)
- DSLD Products: 3,400+ products
- E-commerce Ranking:
- Amazon: #7 by total reviews (861,608 reviews)
- iHerb: #5 by total ratings (1,592,937 ratings)
Corporate History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Founded by Tom Murdock in Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| 1969 | Introduced first standardized herbal extract in North America |
| 1990s | Expanded product line to include vitamins and probiotics |
| 2003 | Acquired by Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG |
| 2008 | Schwabe acquires Enzymatic Therapy (sister company) |
| 2025 | Continues as leading herbal supplement brand |
Ownership Structure
Schwabe Group (Germany, est. 1866)
│ • Private family-owned pharmaceutical company
│ • Specializes in plant-based medicines
│ • Headquarters: Karlsruhe, Germany
│
└── Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG
│
├── Nature's Way Products, LLC (acquired 2003)
│ • Headquarters: Green Bay, WI
│ • Founded: 1968
│ • Focus: Herbal supplements, vitamins
│
└── Enzymatic Therapy (acquired 2008)
• Also based in Green Bay, WI
• Focus: Specialty supplements
Brand Portfolio
Main Brand: Nature’s Way
DSLD Brand ID: 80 Products: 3,342
Core product categories:
- Herbal supplements (flagship)
- Vitamins & minerals
- Probiotics
- Specialty formulas
Sub-brands
| Sub-brand | Focus | DSLD Products |
|---|---|---|
| Alive! | Multivitamins, whole food nutrition | 4 |
| Primadophilus | Probiotics | 2 |
| FlexMax | Joint health | 22 |
| EfaGold | Essential fatty acids | 20 |
| Sambucus | Elderberry immune support | - |
| Fortify | Advanced probiotics | 1 |
Product Specialization
Based on DSLD data, Nature’s Way specializes in:
- Herbal/Botanical Supplements - Company’s heritage and expertise
- Probiotics - Primadophilus and Fortify lines
- Immune Support - Sambucus elderberry products
- Joint Health - FlexMax glucosamine/chondroitin
- Essential Fatty Acids - EfaGold omega products
Market Position
Competitive Advantages
- Heritage: 55+ years in natural health industry
- Herbal Expertise: Pioneer in standardized herbal extracts
- Manufacturing: Vertically integrated in Green Bay, WI
- German Backing: Schwabe Group’s pharmaceutical expertise
- Distribution: Strong presence in natural retailers, mass market, and e-commerce
E-commerce Performance
| Platform | Products | Total Reviews/Ratings | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 1,044 | 861,608 | #7 |
| iHerb | 484 | 1,592,937 | #5 |
Manufacturing
Primary Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Nature’s Way maintains manufacturing facilities in Green Bay, where the company was founded. The facilities handle:
- Raw material processing
- Extraction and formulation
- Encapsulation and tableting
- Quality control and testing
Related Companies
Schwabe Group Portfolio
| Company | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Nature’s Way | Green Bay, WI, USA | Herbal supplements |
| Enzymatic Therapy | Green Bay, WI, USA | Specialty supplements |
| Schwabe Pharma | Karlsruhe, Germany | Phytopharmaceuticals |
Similar Brands
| Brand | Owner | Similarity |
|---|---|---|
| Nature’s Bounty | Nestlé Health Science | ⭐⭐ Similar category |
| NOW Foods | NOW Health Group | ⭐⭐ Similar category |
| Herb Pharm | Independent | ⭐⭐⭐ Herbal focus |
Data Sources
- DSLD Database (brand_id: 80, 3,342 products)
- PitchBook company profile
- Nature’s Way official website (naturesway.com)
- Keepa Amazon data (1,044 products)
- iHerb product catalog (484 products)
Generated by DogTag System | Last verified: 2025-12-20