"Method and Ecover have a strong tradition of innovation and delivering on consumers' needs. They are a great complement to SC Johnson's trusted lineup of iconic brands," said Fisk Johnson, SC Johnson's chairman and CEO, in a statement.
Both companies have plastics connections. Racine, Wis.-based SC Johnson's plastics operations include Saran and Ziploc film products. Method Products has in-house plastics operations at its factory on Chicago's South Side.
Since 2015, Amcor Ltd. has operated an on-site blow molding facility in Method's facility in Chicago. According to Method, the in-house operations keeps more than 600 truckloads of finished bottles off the road before they are filled, eliminating more than 200 metric tons of carbon-dioxide equivalent emissions.
Method's 500-person Chicago factory opened in April 2015, and was financed through a mix of public and private funds. Method invested at least $30 million into building the Chicago plant; the city invested $8 million in tax-increment financing funds to lure the factory to Chicago.
SC Johnson was not immediately available for comment on the future of the Chicago plant.