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The ancient
Gavarry soap works were founded in
the second half of the 18th Century in the town of La
Ciotat, situated in the South of
France between Tolone and Marseilles.
The founder, Monsieur Camille Gavarry, entrepreneur and master soap
maker, dedicated every effort towards the development of his business
not only in France but also in nearby Italy, opening a small soap
works at Arma di Taggia,
in the province of Imperia.
With time Monsieur Gavarry decided to sell on his concern and in 1929
Signor Domenico Sguerso took it over for his own company, a small
soapworks called "Domenico Sguerso
& Figli", which he has founded
in Savona in 1912. Gavarry was chosen a the new name for the family
company which in the meantime had transfered to larger facilities
in the Savonese area of Lavagnola. In 1929 the company officially
became "Stabilimenti Italiani
Gavarry". The name indicated
not only the multi facilities owned by the company but also emphasised
it's Italian origin.
In the meantime the Sguerso brothers decided to concentrate all the
production in the new Savona
facilities.
With the passing of the years the Gavarry name became more and more
noted throughout Italy for it's quality: bathroom soaps, shaving soaps
and washing soaps in various forms, weights and packaging formed a
catalog which was the envy of many.
The Savona facilities struggled to keep pace with increased production
and the warehouse was no longer large enough for the ever increasing
product range.
In 1940 the decision was taken to build a new and modern facility.
The chosen site was agricultural land surrounded by orchards and vegetable
gardens situated in Albisola
around 5 Km from Savona. The Second World War slowed work and the
new Gavarry saw light in 1945 representing one of the most modern
and important soap works at that time. The start of the 1950's saw
the creation of the Auxiliary Division,
for the production of detersives specifically for the textile, tanning
and paper industries.
In 1956 a new and important brand name was added to those already
in use, "L'Amande", when Gavarry took over the company F.I.S.A.M
of Valcrosia (IM). This company had been founded 30 years previously
for the production and marketing of the traditional products from
the "Huilerie & Savonnerie
de L'Amande" of Marseilles in
Italy and the colonies. (F.I.S.A.M. - Fabbricazione Italiana della
Savonnerie Amande di Marsiglia).
One of the oldest manufacturers of Marseille Soap, the Savonnerie
de L'Amande itself was taken over meaning not only the passage of
the brand names to Gavarry, but also the original recipes of all the
products.
Famous for it's soaps the passing of the years saw the addition of
complete product lines for hair care, pre and after shave, toning
creams, sun creams, toothpastes, and even bubble baths and talcum
powders.
Another division within the company produced soap powder for the first
washing machines, for traditional hand washing and for dishwashers.
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The rest is the history of more recent times! |
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