Maille
Maille is a 1747-founded French premium condiment brand owned by Unilever, producing artisanal mustards, vinegars, oils, and cornichons sold to food enthusiasts and gift buyers through boutiques in Paris, Dijon, and London, US retail and Amazon, and DTC e-commerce.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1747
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Maille does
Maille (La Maison Maille) is a French premium condiment brand founded in 1747 by Antoine-Claude Maille and now owned by Unilever. The company manufactures artisanal mustards, vinegars, oils, cornichons, and related gourmet pantry products, with over 25 flavored mustard SKUs including core items (Dijon Originale, Wholegrain, Honey Dijon, Hot Honey Dijon), premium specialty lines (Black Truffle and Chablis White Wine, White Truffle with Chardonnay), limited-edition seasonal releases (Champagne Brandy with Christmas Spices), and fresh mustards served on tap from porcelain pumps in boutiques. Production is anchored in traditional Burgundy-region methods: a specialized grain-cutting (not crushing) process for Dijon mustard texture, oak barrel aging of vinegars (minimum one year, with select products aged three years), and handcrafted sandstone jars made at Le Manufacture de Digoin in the Loire Valley, fired at 1250°C.
The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market model. Distribution spans physical boutiques in Paris (Place de la Madeleine, rue Saint-André des Arts), Dijon, and London Piccadilly; US supermarket and gourmet grocery retail with eight core SKUs; the Amazon marketplace; and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce site at maille.com. Pricing follows a premium tiered structure from approximately $20 entry-level gift sets to $199+ curated hampers co-branded with Le Creuset, Opinel, and Jacobsen Salt Co., positioning Maille in the gourmet/luxury food segment rather than mass condiment. Customer segments are food enthusiasts/gourmet cooks, gift buyers, and French cuisine enthusiasts. The brand is operated within Unilever's US legal entity (Unilever United States), with customer care based in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. The company has no disclosed AI/technology platform, no app, and no APIs; competitive advantage rests on heritage (270+ years, royal warrants from Louis XV through Catherine II of Russia), craftsmanship led by named Master Mustard-Makers and Master Vinegar Makers, an extensive recipe content library (226+ recipes), and a centuries-long exclusive partnership with Le Manufacture de Digoin.
Maille firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Maille
- Legal name
- La Maison Maille
- Website
- https://maille.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1747
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Maille is a 1747-founded French premium condiment brand owned by Unilever, producing artisanal mustards, vinegars, oils, and cornichons sold to food enthusiasts and gift buyers through boutiques in Paris, Dijon, and London, US retail and Amazon, and DTC e-commerce.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Maille industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Condiments
- NAICS
- Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing (311941)
- SIC
- Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Condiments, Sauces & Dressings (CRADAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mustard Manufacturing (AFAKADAD)
Keywords
Where Maille is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Maille business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Consumer Packaged Goods Sales: Maille generates revenue through the sale of branded condiment products including mustards, vinegars, cornichons, and specialty gourmet items. Products are sold through retail channels (grocery stores, supermarkets, gourmet food shops) and direct-to-consumer through maille.com. The company offers various package sizes and gift sets at price points ranging from approximately $20 to over $200.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level gift sets and duos |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range specialty collections |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium gourmet hampers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Maille product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Maille manufactures and sells premium French gourmet condiments, led by a flagship range of artisanal Dijon and flavored mustards, aged balsamic and specialty vinegars, hazelnut oil, cornichons, and balsamic glazes. Production is led by Maître Moutardiers and Maître Vinaigriers using traditional techniques such as grain-cutting and oak barrel aging. The brand also offers premium gift sets and hampers, and distributes through gourmet retail, maille.com, Amazon, and physical boutiques in Paris, Dijon, and London.
Product overview
Maille (La Maison Maille) is a premium French condiment brand founded in 1747, specializing in artisanal mustards, vinegars, oils, and gherkins. The core product line centers on Dijon Original Mustard, Wholegrain Mustard, and Honey Dijon Mustard, complemented by premium specialty mustards like Black Truffle and Chablis White Wine Mustard, limited-edition seasonal offerings (Champagne Brandy with Christmas Spices), and fresh pump mustards served in boutiques. The portfolio extends to aged balsamic vinegars (Modena), fruit vinegars (Mango), specialty oils (Hazelnut), balsamic glazes (including Truffle), and cornichons/gherkins. Products are available in gourmet grocery stores, supermarkets, online via Amazon and maille.com, and through Maille's physical boutiques in Paris, Dijon, and London.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Maille Dijon Original Mustard Flagship French Dijon mustard used as a base for various recipes and condiments; targeted at gourmet home cooks and French cuisine enthusiasts.
- Maille Wholegrain Mustard Whole grain mustard with visible mustard seeds providing texture and flavor, for consumers seeking traditional French whole grain style.
- Maille Rich Country Dijon Mustard Richer, more robust variant of classic Dijon mustard for consumers seeking a fuller-flavored everyday mustard.
- Maille Honey Dijon Mustard Sweet and tangy Dijon mustard with honey, suited for salad dressings, cheese plates, and vegetable dishes.
- Maille Hot Honey Dijon Mustard Spicy variant combining hot mustard heat with honey sweetness for a balanced flavor profile.
- Black Truffle and Chablis White Wine Mustard Limited-edition fresh mustard with black truffles from Provence and Périgord infused with Chablis white wine, served from sandstone jars.
- White Truffle Mustard with Chardonnay White Wine Premium white truffle mustard made with Chardonnay white wine, suited for recipes such as Baked Camembert.
- Mustard with Champagne Brandy and Christmas Spices Limited-edition seasonal mustard with Champagne brandy and winter spices, available only during the festive season.
- Morel Mushroom and Chablis White Wine Mustard Specialty mustard combining morel mushrooms with Chablis white wine for gourmet applications.
- Celeriac, Black Truffle and White Wine Mustard Complex premium mustard combining celeriac, black truffle, and white wine for sophisticated culinary uses.
- Fig and Coriander Mustard Middle Eastern inspired specialty mustard with fig and coriander.
- Mango and Thai Spices Mustard Aromatic fruity mustard blend with mango and Thai spices suited for Southeast Asian cuisine.
- Saffron and Isigny Crème Mustard Middle Eastern inspired specialty mustard with saffron and Isigny crème.
- Dijon Originale Mustard with White Wine (Pump) Fresh mustard served from porcelain pumps at Maille boutiques, made with white wine.
- Sauternes Dijon Mustard (Pump) Fresh Dijon mustard with Sauternes wine, served from boutique porcelain pumps.
- Chablis White Wine Mustard (Pump) Fresh mustard with Chablis white wine, served from boutique porcelain pumps.
- Modena Balsamic Vinegar Traditional balsamic vinegar from Modena aged for three years in oak casks.
- Maille White Balsamic Vinegar White balsamic vinegar for recipes and dressings.
- Mango Vinegar Fruity vinegar made with mango for cocktails and mocktails.
- Maille Balsamic Vinegar Glaze Balsamic vinegar glaze for drizzling over dishes.
- Truffle flavored Balsamic Vinegar Glaze Premium truffle-flavored balsamic vinegar glaze combining earthiness and sweetness.
- Maille Hazelnut Oil Premium hazelnut oil for cooking and finishing dishes.
- Maille Original Cornichons Gherkins Crunchy cornichons (small pickles) in vinegar, suited for aperitif snacks and garnishing.
- Maille Cornichons with Caramelized Onions Gherkins with caramelized onions and white wine vinegar, positioned as an aperitif snack.
- Walnut and Red Pepper Vinaigrette with Toasted Onions Salad dressing vinaigrette with walnuts, red peppers, and toasted onions.
- Maille Gourmet Mustard Gift Hampers and Collections Curated mustard gift sets, duos, and hampers at price points from approximately $20 to $200+, including partner collaborations with Le Creuset and Opinel, targeted at holiday and special occasion gift purchasers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 270+ years of continuous operation and brand heritage since 1747
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Maille
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Maille technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Maille partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Le Manufacture de DigoincoreThe oldest pottery in the Loire Valley, founded in 1875, has made ceramic jars for Maille for over 100 years. Situated on a canal in Burgundy, artisans craft sandstone jars by hand using mineral clay from Burgundy, Auvergne, Charente and Île-de-France transported by boat. Each piece is enameled and fired at 1250°C for quality sealing. Restored in 2014 under Corinne Jourdain's leadership with contemporary colors and shapes while maintaining traditional French manufacturing techniques.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Maille competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Grey Poupon: Premium French-style Dijon mustard brand owned by Kraft Heinz, historically positioned as an upscale mustard in the US market. Direct competitor in US grocery channels where both brands compete for premium shelf space and consumer preference.
- Kühne: German vinegar and pickled condiments specialist founded in 1722, offering premium vinegars, gherkins/cornichons, and pickled specialties. Highly comparable as a European heritage condiment brand competing in adjacent categories including vinegars and cornichons that overlap with Maille's portfolio.
- Colman's: Iconic English mustard brand established 1814, specializing in mustard powders and prepared mustards including core English mustard and flavored varieties. Competes with Maille in the UK and international premium mustard segment.
- Amora: Major French mustard brand also owned by Unilever, focused on mainstream mustard products. Direct competitor in French retail with overlapping Dijon mustard positioning, though Amora targets the mass-market segment while Maille targets premium.
- Edmond Fallot: French artisanal mustard producer founded in 1840 in Burgundy, specializing in stone-ground mustards using traditional millstone processes. Competes head-to-head with Maille in premium Dijon and specialty flavored mustard segments across retail and foodservice.
Broad incumbents
- French's: Iconic American mustard and condiment brand owned by McCormick, known for classic yellow mustard. Competes with Maille in the broader mustard category and has expanded into flavored varieties that increasingly overlap with Maille's premium offerings.
- Tabasco (McIlhenny Company): Iconic American hot sauce brand with 150+ year heritage, owned and operated by the McIlhenny family. Comparable as a heritage premium condiment brand with strong global recognition and brand-led pricing power, though in a different sauce category.
- McCormick & Company: Global leader in spices, seasonings, and condiments with a broad portfolio spanning multiple categories. While not exclusively a mustard brand, McCormick competes broadly in condiments and flavor solutions across retail and foodservice globally.
- Hellmann's: Major mayonnaise and condiment brand owned by Unilever, focused on mayonnaise, dressings, and sandwich spreads. Sister brand within Unilever's condiment portfolio, competing in adjacent categories and sharing distribution infrastructure with Maille.
Emerging players
- Stonewall Kitchen: American specialty food company founded in 1991, producing premium mustards, sauces, jams, and gourmet pantry items. Comparable as a premium specialty food brand with multi-category condiment offerings, though primarily US-focused and of more recent vintage.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Maille social profiles
Digital presenceMaille financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Maille leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Maille funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Maille M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Maille
What does Maille do?
Maille manufactures and sells premium French gourmet condiments, led by a flagship range of artisanal Dijon and flavored mustards, aged balsamic and specialty vinegars, hazelnut oil, cornichons, and balsamic glazes. Production is led by Maître Moutardiers and Maître Vinaigriers using traditional techniques such as grain-cutting and oak barrel aging. The brand also offers premium gift sets and hampers, and distributes through gourmet retail, maille.com, Amazon, and physical boutiques in Paris, Dijon, and London.
Is Maille a public or private company?
Maille is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Maille founded?
Maille was founded in 1747. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Maille based?
Maille is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Maille make money?
One revenue line is on record: consumer Packaged Goods Sales.
Who are Maille's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Grey Poupon, Kühne, Colman's, Amora and Edmond Fallot. Broad incumbents are French's, Tabasco (McIlhenny Company), McCormick & Company and Hellmann's. Stonewall Kitchen is listed as an emerging player.
Does Maille have an API?
No public API is recorded for Maille.
What industry is Maille in?
Maille's product category is Premium Condiments. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAAAB, Condiments, Sauces & Dressings, with a secondary code of AFAKADAD, Mustard Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 311941 and its SIC code is 2030.