Coates 1847

Sadly we have cancelled our order for our shaving soap refill cartons today…

CSPA Packaging in Cheltenham just couldn’t deliver the goods and won’t be producing anything further for Coates.

We are often asked for refills for our Tea Tree & Rosemary shaving soap wooden bowls. They have been on order from the carton manufacturer in Cheltenham now for over two months on a three week lead time!

Is it any wonder we rely on china for manufacturing these days!

James Coate founded the company in 1847 and exhibited their range of hair, shaving and toothbrushes at the 1851 Great Exhibition in Crystal Palace. The company was originally located in the Bow area of London but relocated to Nimmer mill, Chard, Somerset & Axminster, Devon in 1883.

In 1941 the shaving brush manufacturer, A Simpson, lost its factory during the Blitz. Simpsons had produced shaving brushes branded Coate’s for many years so in the spirit of wartime co operation the company relocated to Nimmer Mill and shared production facilities with Coates. This arrangement proved so popular the companies continued working together.

In 1990 the company ran into financial difficulties, but was rescued from receivership by two friends, David Carter & Francis Woodhouse, who continued the tradition of making Simpsons finest quality shaving brushes and Coates shaving cream.

In 2008 the Simpsons part of the company was sold to another shaving brush manufacturer on the Isle of Man and the tradition of Simpsons brushes being manufactured in England ended. On 18th May 2010 Coates was purchased by Charlotte & Robert Johnston’s company TGS Products Ltd. Coate’s is now located to Hungerford, England from where the business continues its rich heritage of manufacturing the highest quality shaving products available.