Beauty, Body Care
Looking at the bottles the mind boggles as to why any company would cram so much information in tiny type all over the label.
Spend a little time with the team behind the brand as I did and you’ll find a rich and interesting story behind the label.
Emil Bronner was a third generation soap maker whose family association dates back to 1908. Born in Germany he followed the family tradition of soap manufacture, gaining his soap making master certificate and a degree in chemistry.
In 1929 he fled Nazi Germany for the US where he met and married his first wife Paula.
While observing the destruction of the Second World War and the murder of his family in the Nazi death camps, Emil sets about his mission to convince the American government and people about his vision for world peace. He saw a need for the world to unite before it destroys itself; he exhorted all people to unite as one, to respect each other and the environment.
Not everyone agreed with his outlandish views, especially the authorities. He was arrested while speaking without a permit in 1945 and was sent to a mental asylum. Managing to escape some months later he left Chicago finding solace and acceptance in Los Angeles.
Emil began manufacture of Dr Bronner’s Magic Soaps in 1948, his first product a Peppermint Liquid Soap. Using this product as a gift given to willing audiences at his soap box speeches, he quickly discovered people would take the soap without listening to his message.
The idea to write his philosophy in dense tiny script on the labels of each bottle was born; each time he ran out of space he would introduce another fragrance to the range.
During the 1960s and 70s and the growing flower power movement with messages of peace and hope, Dr Bronner had a receptive audience who loved the soap which they could do everything with; 18 in 1 uses from washing their VW vans, to cleaning their bell-bottoms and washing themselves! They related to the label’s call for peace and unity, taking Dr Bronner’s to America’s No 1 selling natural soap brand.
The fact that Dr Bronner was a real person and not a corporation was proved as each label carried his telephone number. People anywhere in the world at any time day or night could call. It’s documented that on one occasion Dr Bronner saved a woman’s life. The suicidal woman was told to “clean your house and call me back” when she did they talked through the night.
The company’s ethical stance has never diminished; but sadly Dr Bronner passed away in 1997. The company continues to flourish still in the hands of the original family with grandsons David and Michael now at the helm.
1. Protect the world we live in and give to those less fortunate
2. Make pay fair and balanced
3. Help your employees plan for the future
4. Help people in your supply chain
5. Fight for what you believe in
Executive’s salaries are capped at 5 times that of the lowest paid employee, healthcare and dental treatment is given to all employees and their families, and there are generous bonus and retirement schemes.
Charities benefit from the company profits not only in the US but throughout the world. Since March 2009 in the UK, 20p from the sale of every soap bottle goes to War Child International.
2006 saw the begining of a comprehensive project to obtain all major materials from fair trade sources and large investments have been made in the countries supplying raw materials for the Dr Bronner range. Not only have they improved working conditions, the company are improving the environment and investing in the future, paying attention to replanting sustainable crops and implementing intercrops to increase trade.
Having always used natural ingredients the entire range of products is certified organic and has been since 2003. The company were certified fair trade in 2007. Dr Bronner takes its organic credentials very seriously unlike many other ‘natural’ body care companies.
David Bronner president of the company says “Dr Bronner’s has always been a mission driven company with a mission driven label“.
Dr Bronner’s products are available from selected Waitrose stores, Topshop, ASOS, Liberty and leading health food shops including Planet Organic and Whole Foods.
