Reckitt and Sons

Isaac quit the partnership in 1833 establishing himself as a corn factor in Nottingham; this business failed and in 1840 he moved to Kingston upon Hull, and rented the starch works (b.1835) of Charles Middleton, in Dansom Lane.

The developments of the 1850s led to extension of the works at Dansom Lane, and a new biscuit factory was built 1861, and a rice starch plant in 1864.

The Brasso metal polish product was introduced in 1905, and an additional factory established on Dansom Lane for its manufacture; rival polishes-Bluebell, Shinio and Mepo were acquired in the early 1900s, along with a number of stove, boot and metal polish brands, and blue manufacturers.

[23] During the First World War, as the proprietors were Quakers, the company produced non-combative equipment, including petrol tins.

[24][25] In the 1920s the Zebo liquid grate polish, Windo (later Windolene) window cleaner, Karpol car body wash and Reckitt's Bath Cubes brands were launched.

The black lead works of competitor Hargreaves in Gipsyville, Hull was acquired in 1922 and closed after that company became insolvent.

[26] In 1926 the major acquisition of the Belgian ultramarine manufacturer S.A. des Usines Destrée was made, which included factories in Haren, Melle and Comines.

& J. Colman had begun in 1909, and continued with over the next decades, with asset swaps or a complete merger discussed in 1919; worldwide pooling arrangements had been made in 1930; in 1937 agreement was reached on an amalgamation.

[33] The merged companies retained separate listings on the London Stock Exchange until 1954, when a full merger took place, forming Reckitt & Colman Holdings Ltd.; the 'Chiswick' shoe polish joint venture business was absorbed in the same year.