More than just soap...

115

Employees

247

Unique Formulations

327

Partners Worldwide

62

Countries served

Why it Matters

There’s a lot that goes into building a successful personal care business, we know. Good Ideas. Hard work, obviously. Great products (we can probably help you there). And while you can always rely on us to deliver the goods, we’d like to think we add a bit more to your business.

We’re based in Leeds, the ‘magnetic North’ of the UK with a growing reputation worldwide as a hub of manufacturing and technological innovation. Our expertise embraces world-class innovation for personal care and soap-based products.

Knowledge:

We’re habitual experimenters, learners and innovators. That’s what kept us, and most importantly our customers, right at the leading edge of the personal care industry.

Insight:

We have a clear view of what’s coming next in personal care, and how your business can make the most of it.

Support:

We’re always here for you. Simple as that. With advice on how to develop your products, how to market them and sometimes just a favour when you need it. Like we said, it’s all about getting the ingredients right.

Sustainability

Driving a sustainable, responsible and ethical business is an ethos we follow – not one we feel obliged to - and we have created a culture here at Stephenson where the whole team is encouraged not only to maintain published standards but also to seek out new areas for improvement.

A solid foundation for a sustainable future

To preserve the future of our planet, the customers we work with and our business, we must focus on our environmental impact and how sustainable our processes, manufacturing and products are. We’ve launched an ambitious Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project to become a more sustainable business.

You can find out more about our sustainability and CSR commitments below.

View our Sustainability Commitments Here

Our History

1856

Stephenson Bros formed in Bradford, Yorkshire, England in 1856 originally manufacturing soap based agents for the processing of wool, along with Furniture Wax and Polish products (Stephenson Furniture Polish).

1983

Stephenson Bros Ltd purchase J C Thompson & Co Ltd textile chemical manufacturers, change the company name to Stephenson Group Ltd and form a new division called Stephenson Thompson Textile Chemicals.

1985

Alongside textile chemicals Stephenson Group diversifies into Industrial Chemicals with the introduction of SRC Recycling Chemicals and the development of the first Anti tack agents for the rubber industry.

1995

Introduction of soap based and opaque soap noodles.

1998

Stephenson Group creates what becomes world famous 'Crystal' Melt & Pour soap base range for Personal Care applications.

2001

Stephenson Group forms new division- Stephenson Personal Care. The division is now well established as one of the world's leading speciality soap base manufacturers with hundreds of customers in over 50 countries.

2009

Stephenson Personal Care launches a range of full certified organic soap bases including Liquid Soap and Bodycare bases, certifications include EcoCert, Soil Association and USDA Organic.

2010

Stephenson Personal Care becomes the first and only soap base manufacturer to offer 100% RSPO Certified Sustainable Palm and Palm Kernel Oil soap bases. A key step in our sustainability ambitions.

2015

The company launches its first Fair Trade Certified Soap Bases.

2018

Worlds first processable Syndet - Syndopal 300-MB launched.

2019

We relaunch our dedicated Personal care business under the name Stephenson.

2020

Worlds first Melt & Pour Solid Conditioner bar was introduced.