Our Legacy
150 Years of Innovation and Still Gaining Speed.
Our legacy is rooted in continuous innovation, technical excellence, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
1876
Our Founding Year
Bradford Soap Works was founded by James Rogers and William Murgatroyd of Bradford, England. At the time Bradford, England and Rhode Island were both the centers of the textile industry, and our first product was a soap flake used to scour wool.
1927
Solo Labs Founded
In 1927, chemist Luis Solo founded Solo Laboratories with a focus on compressed powders and color cosmetics.
1960
Pivoting with Purpose
Industry shifts drive the need for a new Bradford business model
With the advent of air-conditioning, the textile industry moved south. Bradford shifts from servicing the textile industry to producing consumer bar soap and premium soap base.
1980
Solo Labs Expansion
New Capabilities to Meet Customers Needs
Solo Laboratories expands to include liquid compounding and filling.
2004
New Product Line
Acquisition adds shower poufs to product line
The acquisition of Jean Charles Mexicali expands the product portfolio to include shower poufs.
2013
Scaling Innovation
Bradford expands beyond traditional bar soap
Recognizing the power of the bar format, Bradford expands its portfolio into cleansing, shave and hair care to address the emerging trend of multi-function formulations.
2017
Broader Portfolio
Broader solid personal care portfolio
To address consumer demand for products with clean ingredient lists, less packaging, and less water, we expanded into moisturizers, deodorants, shave products, fragrance, and shampoos, all in a solid format.
2025
Bradford Soap Works and Solo Labs Merge
Bradford and Solo Come Together to Expand Capabilities
The acquisition of Solo Laboratories Inc. brings together Bradford’s legacy in solid-format personal care with Solo’s expertise in liquids, aerosols, and hot pours, creating a broader manufacturing platform across two central locations near Chicago, IL.
2026
Renamed to Bradford Labs
Renamed Bradford Labs
With Bradford and Solo Laboratories Inc. now integrated, the company rebrands as Bradford Labs reflecting a broader platform that brings together deep expertise across solids, liquids, aerosols, and hot pour formats.