Jiffy in jeopardy as suitors fail to strike deal

The Jiffy condom brand is in danger of disappearing from the UK market unless a buyer is found.

Sime Health UK, a subsidiary of the Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby which bought Jiffy in 1989, wants to sell it. One source says most major condom companies have expressed an interest, although others argue that Sime is asking “a very high price”.

Jiffy condoms are no longer manufactured. However, the brand is available through a new distributor, Family Planning Sales (FPS), which bought all remaining Jiffy stock earlier this year.

FPS managing director Colin Parker estimates that the company has enough stock to last into 1999. Its key customer is the National Health Service.

In a separate move, German condom company Condomi is to launch in the UK “imminently”, according to Condomi UK managing director Ralph Patmore.

The Condomi brand recently acquired UK quality approval. It is already available in Spain, Italy and Austria, as well as Germany – where it is the market leader.

Condomi has yet to appoint an advertising agency.

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