Addis was founded in 1780 by an English Entrepreneur, William Addis. In 1770, William was sent to prison for causing a riot. Whilst in prison, he decided that the current method to clean teeth at the time could be improved upon. To that end, he saved a small animal bone from a meal, drilled small holes in the bone, and obtained bristles which he then tied in tufts and passed through the holes in the bone, finally sealing with glue to create the world’s first toothbrush.
After his release, William started a business to manufacture the toothbrushes, and soon became very wealthy. By 1840, toothbrushes were being mass-produced in England, France, Germany, and Japan.
In 1914, the First World War had begun, and Addis supplied troops with toothbrushes, creating a national ‘habit’ of teeth cleaning. In 1919, following the First World War, Addis purchased the production premises in Hertford and the factory was ready to start production in early 1920 and by this time, Addis was supplying Boots with a straight handled, good value toothbrush to retail at 1s (5p).
Addis purchased Upper Bank Works (on the outskirts of Swansea), and production began in September 1965 and the first sales of Wisdom were seen in 1969.
In 1980, Addis celebrated its bicentennial under the chairmanship of Robert Addis – the 6th generation son after founder William Addis.
When William died in 1808, he left the business to his eldest son, also called William, and it stayed in family ownership until 1996.
Below is a timeline known to the Addis brand and can provide more information on the history of Addis.
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1780
Addis believes that housework should be less of a chore and more ‘matter-of-fact’ – a simple task with no effort. We want to make life easier which leaves time for the things that really matter. That’s why we do what we do!
As an international, independently owned company, we have a proud 240-year-old history of design, manufacture, and supply of housewares. The Addis brand still stands today, as it has for previous generations, for value, quality, and innovation.
Our UK-based design and manufacturing is complemented by state-of-the-art facilities in Europe and the Far East meaning we are well placed to continue brand development, deliver outstanding service, and ensure customer satisfaction.
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1860
By the 1860s, Addis became one of the first manufacturers in the UK to use an automated manufacturing system and in 1869, the first Addis toothbrush handle to be made by machine was produced.
In the 1880’s, Addis began exporting products abroad to the US.
By 1890, William Addis (3) dies, leaving his business to his three sons. In 1893, Robert Addis (1) commences production at the London Brush Works and in 1913, Addis started exporting brushes all over the world, but mainly to the British Empire, and employed 84 people.
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1914
In 1914, the First World War had begun, and Addis supplied troops with toothbrushes, creating a national ‘habit’ of teeth cleaning. In 1919, following the First World War, Addis purchased the production premises in Hertford and the factory was ready to start production in early 1920 and by this time, Addis was supplying Boots with a straight handled, good value toothbrush to retail at 1s (5p).
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1923
In 1923, Addis fits out Queen Mary’s famous dolls-house with miniature brushes which can still be seen at Windsor Castle. By 1926, Addis was producing 1.8million toothbrushes per year and in 1927, the first plastic handle toothbrushes (celluloid) were produced and brushes were filled with bristle mechanically.
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1939
In 1939, during the Second World War, 1,000,000 brushes were supplied to the armed forces. By this time, Addis employed 650 people and the first injection moulding machines were purchased. As a result, in 1940, the first nylon toothbrush was launched (under the Wisdom brand) and in 1947, the last bone handled toothbrushes were produced. It was at this stage that the introduction of plastic into manufacturing led to the launch of Addis kitchen plastics and brush ranges.
In 1955 and 1959, the company’s first TV advertising campaign commences.
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1964
Addis Housewares is founded as an autonomous sister company within the Addis Group Ltd. In 1996, the company, privately owned for 216 years over 10 generations, sold the company to its management in a management buy out (MBO). Alongside this, the Wisdom brand was sold.
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2016
The London Stock Exchange Group lists ‘1000 Companies to Inspire’. It is a celebration of some of the fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK and Europe.
Addis has been acknowledged with this accolade and is also 1 of only 25 companies from Wales to achieve this status!
Our mission statement is to exceed our customers’ expectations in every aspect, by striving to be a world class provider of houseware products, with great design, quality & service. Our core competencies are: