Watson, Joseph, & Sons Ltd
Other Business Names:
- Lever Brothers
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire & the Humber, England
Sectors:
-
Chemical production
Candle production
-
Chemical production
Explosives & fuses production
-
Leather & other skins processing & products manufacture
Leather & other skins processing
-
Chemical production
Perfumes, cosmetics & toilet goods production
-
Chemical production
Soap & detergent production
Notes:
Traced origins to a hide and skin business established by Joseph Watson in the 1840s. Soon diversified into soap production and related areas such as candle wax and glycerine. Emerged as a leading manufacturer. Incorporated 1897. Acquired in 1917 by Lever Brothers but continued to trade independently for several years, latterly focusing on toiletries instead of soaps
Publications:
- History of Unilever. A study in economic growth and social change by Wilson, Charles H
- Joseph Watson & Sons Ltd by Baring, P
- Men who made Leeds. Joseph Watson, soap manufacturer by Rimmer, W G
- 'Soap industry' in P L Cook (ed), Effects of Mergers. Six studies by Cohen, Ruth
- 'Soapy Joe's. The history of Joseph Watson & Sons Ltd, 1893-1993' in J A Chartres & K Honeyman (eds), Leeds City Business, 1893-1993. Essays marking the centenary of incorporation by Honeyman, Katrina
- 'Soapy Joe's'. The story of a great factory, 1861-1987 by McBretney, Jane
Groups:
Other Business Names:
- Lever Brothers
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire & the Humber, England
Sectors:
- Chemical production Candle production
- Chemical production Explosives & fuses production
- Leather & other skins processing & products manufacture Leather & other skins processing
- Chemical production Perfumes, cosmetics & toilet goods production
- Chemical production Soap & detergent production
Notes:
Traced origins to a hide and skin business established by Joseph Watson in the 1840s. Soon diversified into soap production and related areas such as candle wax and glycerine. Emerged as a leading manufacturer. Incorporated 1897. Acquired in 1917 by Lever Brothers but continued to trade independently for several years, latterly focusing on toiletries instead of soapsPublications:
- History of Unilever. A study in economic growth and social change by Wilson, Charles H
- Joseph Watson & Sons Ltd by Baring, P
- Men who made Leeds. Joseph Watson, soap manufacturer by Rimmer, W G
- 'Soap industry' in P L Cook (ed), Effects of Mergers. Six studies by Cohen, Ruth
- 'Soapy Joe's. The history of Joseph Watson & Sons Ltd, 1893-1993' in J A Chartres & K Honeyman (eds), Leeds City Business, 1893-1993. Essays marking the centenary of incorporation by Honeyman, Katrina
- 'Soapy Joe's'. The story of a great factory, 1861-1987 by McBretney, Jane