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The earliest knowledge of soap making in Ashby de la Zouch was prior to 1894, with a company called Harrison Frederick John and Co. on a site in Tamworth Road.

At the turn of last century, soap manufacture moved to The Callis (our present site) which had previously been a tannery and prior to that, a waterworks. At the time of the first world war, the site belonged to the Lever Organization under various names such as George Aspey and C. B. Parsons making laundry soap powder.

In 1924, the company name was changed to Ashby Soaps making soaps and soap powder and in 1928 it was renamed Standard Soap Company.

In 1933, the site was taken over by British Glues and Chemicals which, during the second world war, manufactured bar soap and toilet soap, as part of the site was used by the Ministry of Defence. In 1968 the company was purchased by Croda International Ltd and then became the head office of their Soaps Division.

During the 1960's, the decision was taken to concentrate on contract manufacture of other companies products in the cosmetics and toiletries industry. This specialisation proved very successful and Standard Soap is now Europe's largest contract soap and toiletries manufacturer.

In 1995 the company was purchased by Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad. To learn more about KLK click here