Gerard Bros.

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]

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

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. "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
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