Gerard Bros.

Gerard Bros. Ltd.
Company typeLimited company
IndustrySoaps
Founded1876[1]
HeadquartersNottingham, England
ProductsIno toilet soap, Ino flakes
Edwardian brochure for Gerard Bros. Ltd.

Gerard Bros. Ltd. was a manufacturer of personal healthcare products. The business was founded in 1876[1] and incorporated in 1897,[2] and Thomas Bruges Gerard was voted its first chairman. The company established a factory in Wilkinson Street, New Basford, Nottingham. The factory was built on a 14-acre (57,000 m2) site and pumped water from the River Leen. In 1921 the factory was severely damaged by fire,[1] but the subsequent rebuild afforded the opportunity to expand the factory.[3]

In 1955 the company was acquired by Cussons Sons & Co., chaired by Leslie Cussons makers of the famous brand Cussons Imperial Leather soap. After the acquisition Cussons kept the Gerard Bros. factory in use.

In 1975 Cussons Sons & Co. were themselves acquired by Paterson Zochonis[4] (recently renamed to PZ Cussons). In 2005 PZ Cussons finally closed the old Gerard Bros. factory,[5] and manufacturing was moved to Pathumthani, Thailand.

Brands

Gerard Bros.'s main brand was called 'Ino'. The brand was produced as a toilet soap with the tagline "The First Aid to Beauty". Washing flakes were also produced with the tagline 'Ino Flakes Wash Everything'. A set of playing cards were manufactured to advertise Ino Flakes.

Gerard Bros. also manufactured a range of soaps inspired by flowers. The range included Lily of the Valley, Rose and Lavender.


Soap factory in the Edwardian era

  • Engraving of the boiling pans at the Gerard Bros. Ltd. soap factory.
    Engraving of the boiling pans at the Gerard Bros. Ltd. soap factory.
  • Engraving of the Gerard Bros. Ltd. soap factory.
    Engraving of the Gerard Bros. Ltd. soap factory.
  • Engraving of the frame room used for cooling soap in steel frames.
    Engraving of the frame room used for cooling soap in steel frames.
  • Engraving of the household soap packing room.
    Engraving of the household soap packing room.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Nottm. Works Gutted". Nottingham Evening Post. 27 September 1921. p. 1.
  2. ^ Financial Times. 21 January 1897. p. 6.
  3. ^ Linday, D.T.A. (1976) Soapmaking past and present, at page 18
  4. ^ Jones, S. 17.11.2001, “Bubbly PZ washes hands of some of its imperial past” Financial Times
  5. ^ Burgess, K. 09.02.2005, “Setback as Cussons five-year plan stalls with detergent loss” Financial Times