Gerard Bros. Ltd. was a manufacturer of personal healthcare products. The business was founded in 1876 and incorporated in 1897,Financial Times. 21 January 1897. p. 6. 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 site and pumped water from the River Leen. In 1921 the factory was severely damaged by fire, but the subsequent rebuild afforded the opportunity to expand the factory.Linday, D.T.A. (1976) Soapmaking past and present, at page 18
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 ZochonisJones, S. 17.11.2001, “Bubbly PZ washes hands of some of its imperial past” Financial Times (recently renamed to PZ Cussons). In 2005 PZ Cussons finally closed the old Gerard Bros. factory,Burgess, K. 09.02.2005, “Setback as Cussons five-year plan stalls with detergent loss” Financial Times 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
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