Kobashi
Kobashi Ltd is a UK-based, family-owned manufacturer of pure essential oils, carrier oils, serums, massage blends, and aromatherapy products founded in 1985. It sells via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and a wholesale/reseller program, serving individual consumers and professional aromatherapists across 15+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersDunsford, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Kobashi does
Kobashi Ltd is a UK-based, family-owned manufacturer and supplier of pure essential oils and aromatherapy products, founded in 1985 by Lynda and Scott Ballard and operated from Dunsford, Devon. The company offers an extensive catalog spanning 80+ single essential oils and percentage blends, 20+ carrier oils, hydrolats, facial serums, pre-blended massage oils, synergy roll-ons, body care items (balms, soaps, gels, skincare), clays, salts, gums, waxes, and dried herbs. Products are positioned as 100% pure, vegan-suitable, and suitable for both personal and professional therapeutic use.
The company's underlying technical differentiator is its in-house quality control program: every batch undergoes GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) testing to verify purity, with results marketed to customers at "parts per trillion" precision. Sensitive oils are nitrogen-purged to displace oxygen and extend shelf life, and inventory is held in an underground south Devon warehouse that leverages the naturally cool local climate for storage. These processes are used as both a quality mechanism and a brand narrative rather than as a scalable technology platform.
Kobashi generates revenue through direct-to-consumer e-commerce via kobashi.co.uk and a wholesale/reseller registration program. Pricing is unit-based with volume discounts across sizes from 5ml to 5L (e.g., Hempseed Oil 50ml at £4.17 scaling to 1000ml at £39.16), with free UK shipping over £60 and international shipping via DHL, TNT, and FedEx. The company serves two primary customer segments: DIY individual consumers purchasing for personal use, and professional aromatherapists/holistic practitioners purchasing for client treatments. Marketing is almost entirely word-of-mouth and testimonial-driven, with no paid advertising, no app presence, and no third-party review platforms (Trustpilot, Feefo) actively used.
Kobashi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kobashi
- Legal name
- Kobashi Ltd
- Website
- https://kobashi.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kobashi Ltd is a UK-based, family-owned manufacturer of pure essential oils, carrier oils, serums, massage blends, and aromatherapy products founded in 1985. It sells via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and a wholesale/reseller program, serving individual consumers and professional aromatherapists across 15+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kobashi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aromatherapy Products
- NAICS
- Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120), Fats and Oils Refining and Blending (311225), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)
- SIC
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Fats & Oils (2070)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Botanical & Herbal Extracts (Adaptogens, Polyphenols, Essential Oils, Standardized Extracts) (AFAJAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty & Tropical Oils Processing (Avocado, Sesame, Peanut, Rice Bran, Grapeseed) (AFAKAEAE), Virgin & Cold-Pressed Culinary Oils (AFAJALAB), Aromatherapy & Essential Oil Massage (HSADAHAL)
Keywords
Where Kobashi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dunsford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kobashi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Products: Direct-to-consumer sale of 100% pure essential oils, carrier oils, body care products, hydrolats, massage oils, serums, and aromatherapy accessories. One-time purchase model with no subscription. Products sold in various sizes from small 5ml to bulk 5L quantities.
- Wholesale/Reseller Accounts: Offers registration for reselling accounts with potential volume discounts. Aromatherapists and holistic practitioners purchase products for their own use or to create finished products for clients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Various size options from 5ml to 5000ml |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
Kobashi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kobashi manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of pure essential oils, carrier/base oils, body care products, massage oils, facial serums, hydrolats, clays, salts, waxes, dried herbs and aromatherapy accessories. The catalogue includes more than 80 essential oil varieties (single oils and percentage blends) and over 20 carrier oils, with every batch GC/MS tested for purity verification and packaged in amber glass bottles under nitrogen.
Product overview
Kobashi is an established aromatherapy and essential oils company (founded 1985) offering a comprehensive portfolio of pure essential oils, carrier oils, body care products, massage oils, facial serums, synergy blends, hydrolats, and natural ingredients. The core offering consists of 100% pure essential oils (over 80 varieties including single oils and pre-diluted percentage blends), carrier oils (20+ varieties), and finished products including massage oils, serums, and body care items. Products are positioned for professional aromatherapists, holistic practitioners, and individual consumers seeking authentic, GC/MS tested essential oils. All products are suitable for vegans.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% Pure Essential Oils - GC/MS tested to parts per trillion
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kobashi
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kobashi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Kobashi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Kobashi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Neal's Yard Remedies: Established UK natural and organic beauty brand with essential oils, carrier oils, and aromatherapy products. Comparable in clean-beauty positioning and UK origin but broader portfolio includes skincare, body care, and herbal remedies.
- doTERRA: Global MLM leader in essential oils with proprietary CPTG testing standards, sourcing partnerships, and a multi-million distributor network. Comparable in core product (pure essential oils) but vastly larger scale and MLM GTM.
- NOW Solutions: Brand of NOW Foods offering essential oils, carrier oils, and aromatherapy products at value pricing through retail and online channels. Comparable in product range and carrier oil offering but part of a much broader supplement/health portfolio.
- Young Living: Global MLM essential oils giant with Seed to Seal quality program, own farms, and a broad wellness product line. Comparable in essential oil focus and quality messaging but operates at vastly different scale with MLM distribution.
Direct peers
- Plant Therapy: US-based DTC essential oils brand offering pure single oils, blends, carrier oils, and kid-safe formulations with GC/MS testing. Comparable in DTC e-commerce model, GC/MS transparency, and emphasis on testing-to-verify purity.
- Aromatherapy Associates: Premium UK aromatherapy brand selling essential oil blends, body care, and wellness products globally via DTC and spas. Highly comparable in premium positioning, professional-segment endorsement, and aromatherapy-focused product mix.
- Tisserand Aromatherapy: UK-based aromatherapy brand offering pure essential oils, carrier oils, and aromatherapy products for professional and consumer use. Directly comparable in product range, target customer (aromatherapists and home users), and UK/DTC distribution model.
- Mountain Rose Herbs: US-based supplier of organic essential oils, carrier oils, herbal ingredients, and aromatherapy products to consumers and professionals. Comparable in broad aromatherapy catalog, organic focus, and B2C/B2B hybrid distribution.
- Edens Garden: US essential oils brand offering pure single oils, synergy blends, carrier oils, and aromatherapy accessories via DTC e-commerce. Comparable in product breadth, DTC-first model, and quality-focused positioning for the wellness consumer.
Regional players
- Primavera Life: German aromatherapy brand offering pure essential oils, organic carrier oils, and natural cosmetics with strong professional/praticien channel in DACH. Comparable in organic focus, professional-segment emphasis, and aromatherapy catalog depth.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kobashi social profiles
Digital presenceKobashi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kobashi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Kobashi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kobashi 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 Kobashi
What does Kobashi do?
Kobashi manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of pure essential oils, carrier/base oils, body care products, massage oils, facial serums, hydrolats, clays, salts, waxes, dried herbs and aromatherapy accessories. The catalogue includes more than 80 essential oil varieties (single oils and percentage blends) and over 20 carrier oils, with every batch GC/MS tested for purity verification and packaged in amber glass bottles under nitrogen.
Is Kobashi a public or private company?
Kobashi is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Kobashi founded?
Kobashi was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kobashi based?
Kobashi is headquartered in Dunsford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Kobashi make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Products are the primary driver. The others are wholesale/Reseller Accounts.
Who are Kobashi's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Neal's Yard Remedies, doTERRA, NOW Solutions and Young Living. Direct peers are Plant Therapy, Aromatherapy Associates, Tisserand Aromatherapy, Mountain Rose Herbs and Edens Garden. Primavera Life is listed as a regional player.
Does Kobashi have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kobashi.
What industry is Kobashi in?
Kobashi's product category is Aromatherapy Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJAKAD, Botanical & Herbal Extracts (Adaptogens, Polyphenols, Essential Oils, Standardized Extracts), with a secondary code of AFAKAEAE, Specialty & Tropical Oils Processing (Avocado, Sesame, Peanut, Rice Bran, Grapeseed). Its NAICS code is 456120 and its SIC code is 2844.