of 24-5 King William Street, London, and Wharf Road, Isle of Dogs
c.1900 The Thames Steam Cooperage Company Ltd occupied Barrel Wharf, Isle of Dogs.
1900 An associated company, Sapon Ltd, was registered on 1 November, to acquire the rights and business connection of the patent soap powder known as "Sapon", for the whole world. [1]. Sapon was a washing-powder made from oatmeal. Among the main shareholders in the new venture were Robert Macpherson, the manager of the cooperage, and Godfrey Bamberg, the inventor of Sapon. Sapon Ltd took over Barrel Wharf, and soon the adjoining Lukach and Jarrahdale Wharves as well. The whole became known as Sapon Wharf.
By 1905 Sapon was a commercial success, supplied to the hotel and restaurant trades, railway companies, manufacturers, and shipping lines. It was stocked by Harrods, Whiteleys, Spiers & Ponds, and the other leading department stores. In the next few years Sapon's range of cereal soap powders and hard soaps grew rapidly. 'Russian Tar' medicated soap was introduced. 'Flake' was developed for the Yorkshire woollen trade as a decontaminant and degreaser.
WWI Almost the entire output of Sapon soap was supplied to British Expeditionary Force canteens.
1917 the company was reconstructed as Sapon Soaps Ltd
Postwar: manufacturing subsidiaries were established in Canada and the USA
1920s 'Derbac' insecticide soap was developed. Head office was transferred from the City to Wharf Road.
1923 Went into receivership. Taken over by Pure Products Ltd, a company set up for the purpose.
1924-5 Pure Products closed the works and transferred the manufacture of Sapon soaps to Nottingham.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908
- [1] British History Online - Cubitt Town