The Brantford Soap Works: A Clean Legacy of Canadian Industry
The Brantford Soap Works (1854), revolutionized Canada’s soap manufacturing industry by pioneering and introducing high-quality soap. Charles Watts founded the company on Spring Street in Brantford in 1897. In the following years, it grew from humble origins into one of Ontario’s most recognizable soap makers, serving homes and personal care across Canada. Charles Watts started the company on a simple principle which was to make quality soap for Canadians. His product lines soon grew to range from laundry bars to extra expensive toilet lathers. Acknowledging that there was a rising need for soap in towns and villages, Watts made sure that his soap appealed to everyone. The Brantford Soap Works thrived under Alfred Watt’s management. They constructed a new factory in 1871 in response to the company’s constantly growing demands. The factory was run using cutting-edge equipment, including a 15-horsepower steam engine, which ran the machine, and two departments dominated the operation of the factory: staple and fancy. Staples sold everyday products, such as laundry bars, while the fancy department made luxurious toilet soaps that catered to high-end customers. The more the company expanded, the greater its power and by the end of the 19th century, the Brantford Soap Works was one of the largest soap factories in Ontario. In equal measure, it employed 15 workers and consumed 16,000 lbs of tallow per week alongside other raw materials. The plant was repeatedly expanded over the years to keep up with growing demand, allowing its products to be sold throughout Canada. It was innovation, geared to changing consumer demands, that kept the firm in business. The company’s 14 soap varieties – from utilitarian laundry soaps to high-end skincare formulas – meant that it could satisfy a large customer base. Such flexibility, paired with strong administration and marketing, made the Brantford Soap Works a market leader.
The partnership of Alfred Watts with Robert Henry in 1871 added another chapter to the company’s history. Henry was one of Brantford’s great men and he brought plenty of experience and direction to the business. He was elected to two terms as mayor of Brantford in 1878, 1879 and 1887, and as a Member of Parliament for South Brant in 1896-1898. But Henry remained a highly involved person in the daily affairs of the Brantford Soap Works, guiding the firm through its golden years. Charles Jarvis, another driving force behind the company’s success, ran the factory for more than 25 years. Because of his intimate knowledge of the industry and dedication to innovation, he was a key player in the business. Under his leadership, the Brantford Soap Works was synonymous with excellence and earned Canadian customers’ trust.
By the turn of the century, the Brantford Soap Works was challenged by a rising tide of competition and shifting markets. The firm had not been listed again in the Brantford City Directory in 1900-1901, thus ending nearly 50 years of operation. The late Alfred Watts, a lifelong businessman, died on 1 August 1913 and a new chapter had been opened. Even though the Brantford Soap Works closed more than 100 years ago, the work played a critical role in Brantford’s industrial heritage. It was one of the city’s first industrial enterprises, setting a model of innovation and quality that other companies wished to follow. Whether laundry detergent or toilet soap, it became a favourite of Canadians, and its dedication to quality helped make Brantford a centre of industry and innovation. The Brantford Soap Works is a testament to both its founders’ entrepreneurial drive and leadership. It is a story of durability, evolution and the fight for quality – a legacy that continues to fuel generations of Canadian manufacturers.
References
https://history-api.brantfordlibrary.ca/Document/View/c35a2046-4306-441e-ab2f-3fade46ce2f3
Warner, Beers, & Co. (1883). The history of the County of Brant, Ontario (p. 151) [PDF]. Warner, Beers, & Co.