About Addis
Addis: Britain's Oldest Housewares Brand Since 1780 Addis Housewares represents over 240 years of British manufacturing heritage, evolving from the inventor of the modern toothbrush to one of the UK's most trusted names in household products. From laundry baskets to mop buckets, dish drainers to storage solutions, Addis combines quality, innovation, and value that has served British homes across generations. At Grocefully, we help you compare Addis prices across UK supermarkets, ensuring you find the best deals on these essential household items. An Unlikely Beginning The Addis story begins in 1780 under extraordinary circumstances. William Addis, an English entrepreneur, found himself imprisoned for causing a riot. Within those cell walls, necessity sparked invention as Addis experimented with animal bones and bristles, creating what would become recognised as the world's first modern toothbrush. Upon release, Addis transformed his prison innovation into a manufacturing business. Toothbrushes produced in his workshop would eventually be mass-produced across England, France, Germany, and Japan. The company that began from incarceration would grow to influence personal hygiene habits worldwide. By the 1860s, Addis had become a pioneer in automated manufacturing, with the first machine-made toothbrush handle produced in 1869. The following decade brought international expansion as Addis products reached American shores in the 1880s. Serving the Nation The First World War marked a significant chapter in Addis history. The company supplied British troops with toothbrushes, contributing to what became a national habit of regular teeth cleaning. This wartime service connected the brand with national identity in ways that transcended mere commerce. Post-war prosperity brought expansion. By 1940, Addis had invested heavily in modernised technology, moving into plastic moulding manufacturing. This technological shift would prove transformative, enabling the production of a far broader product range than bristled brushes alone. Interestingly, this plastic expertise led to an unexpected product: Addis developed the first bristle-style artificial Christmas trees. This diversification demonstrated the company's willingness to apply its manufacturing capabilities to new markets and products. From Toothbrushes to Housewares By the end of World War II, Addis had expanded significantly beyond oral care. The company launched Wisdom Toothbrushes as a distinct brand whilst developing Addis Housewares to include items such as bowls, buckets, and washing-up brushes. Rising demand drove physical expansion. In the 1960s, Addis purchased additional manufacturing premises in Swansea, increasing capacity to meet growing orders. The housewares division had found its market, offering quality products at sensible prices to British households embracing post-war domestic improvements. Family Ownership Through Generations Few British companies can claim the continuity that defined Addis through its early centuries. When founder William Addis died in 1808, he left the business to his eldest son, also named William. This pattern of family succession continued across ten generations. In 1980, Addis celebrated its bicentennial under Robert Addis – the sixth-generation chairman descending from founder William. Two hundred years of family stewardship had seen the company evolve from a single workshop to an international manufacturer whilst maintaining its founding principles of quality and innovation. The family era ended in 1996 when, after 216 years of private ownership across ten generations, Addis sold to its management through a management buyout. The Wisdom toothbrush brand was separated and sold separately. The housewares business continued independently, maintaining the Addis name and heritage. Modern Addis Today, Addis Housewares Limited operates as a private company based in Bridgend, Wales. The independently owned business continues designing, manufacturing, and supplying housewares that serve both domestic and commercial markets. In 2016, the London Stock Exchange Group recognised Addis as one of 1,000 companies to inspire, placing it among just 25 Welsh companies achieving this status. This recognition validated the company's continued relevance and growth potential despite competition from global manufacturers. The modern company maintains British manufacturing for many products, supporting local employment and ensuring quality control. This commitment to domestic production distinguishes Addis from competitors who have shifted manufacturing overseas. The Product Range Contemporary Addis housewares span multiple categories, each designed to simplify daily household tasks. Laundry Solutions Laundry baskets and hampers form a significant part of the Addis range. The company has particularly excelled with space-saving designs that address modern housing challenges. Collapsible laundry baskets represent innovative problem-solving. The 45-litre capacity versions collapse to just 8.5cm when not in use, fitting into narrow gaps between washing machines and work surfaces. Large soft-grip handles ease carrying full loads. The Fold Flat range offers similar space efficiency in smaller 38-litre capacities, suitable for households doing more frequent, smaller washes. These designs accommodate contemporary laundry habits whilst minimising storage footprint. Rattan effect laundry hampers bring style alongside functionality. Available in various colours and capacities from 40 to 50 litres, these hampers look attractive enough for bedroom display whilst containing dirty laundry effectively. The slim profiles suit smaller bathrooms and bedrooms where floor space comes at a premium. Cleaning Equipment Mops and buckets continue Addis's heritage in cleaning products that began with those early washing-up brushes. The Superdry Sponge Floor Mop features a built-in self-wringing handle, eliminating the need to squeeze wet sponges by hand. This practical innovation makes floor cleaning less unpleasant whilst delivering effective results. The Spray Mop Go Duo combines a microfibre flat floor mop with an integral water tank in the handle. This all-in-one design eliminates separate buckets, streamlining the mopping process for quick clean-ups. Traditional mop and bucket sets serve those preferring conventional cleaning methods. Functional designs balance capacity with manoeuvrability, whilst build quality ensures longevity through regular use. Bins and Waste Management Pedal and touch bins provide hands-free waste disposal in kitchens and bathrooms. Various capacities suit different household needs, with 40-litre options suitable for family recycling requirements. Bin designs balance functionality with aesthetics, recognising that waste bins occupy visible positions in modern kitchens. Colour options allow coordination with kitchen schemes whilst practical features ensure daily operation remains effortless. Kitchen Products and Food Storage Dish drainers and washing-up accessories carry forward Addis's long association with kitchen cleaning. The Pop & Go Collapsible Dish Drainer exemplifies modern thinking – full functionality when needed, minimal storage space when not. Stainless steel draining racks offer durability for those preferring metal construction. These robust products handle years of daily use whilst maintaining appearance. Food storage containers utilise airtight technology across various sizes. These practical solutions maintain food freshness whilst enabling organised refrigerator and cupboard storage. BPA-free plastics ensure food safety, reflecting contemporary health awareness. Home Organisation Storage boxes and shelving systems help households manage possessions effectively. Stackable, modular designs allow customised configurations for utility rooms, garages, bedrooms, and offices. Four-tier plastic storage shelving units provide durable freestanding organisation for garages, sheds, and utility spaces. These practical products address genuine storage challenges many homes face. Quality and Safety Addis maintains quality standards befitting a company with over 240 years of heritage to protect. Many products continue to be manufactured in the UK, ensuring proximity oversight of production quality. British manufacturing also supports local employment and reduces transportation environmental impact. Food-contact products use BPA-free plastics, acknowledging contemporary health concerns about chemical leaching. This attention to material safety demonstrates responsible manufacturing practices. Care instructions accompany products, helping customers maintain items properly for maximum longevity. Well-maintained Addis products deliver years of reliable service, representing genuine value despite modest purchase prices. Addis in UK Supermarkets Major UK supermarkets stock Addis products, making the brand accessible to everyday shoppers. Tesco offers various Addis laundry baskets including the popular collapsible designs in aqua, charcoal, and grey. Dish drainers including the Pop & Go Collapsible design also feature in Tesco's housewares selection. Sainsbury's stocks Addis products including the Stainless Steel Draining Rack, providing options for customers seeking quality kitchen accessories. Asda through George at Asda carries extensive Addis ranges including the Rattan Effect Laundry Hampers in multiple colours and capacities. The Fold Flat Laundry Basket also features in their housewares section. For customers seeking specific Addis items, comparing prices across these retailers makes sense. Different supermarkets may price identical products differently, whilst promotional periods create savings opportunities. Value Proposition Addis products occupy sensible market positions – quality sufficient for reliable performance without premium pricing that limits accessibility. This approach has served the brand across generations as households seek dependable housewares without unnecessary expense. The focus on practical innovation adds genuine value. Features like collapsible designs, self-wringing mechanisms, and airtight seals solve real problems rather than adding complexity for its own sake. Products earn their place through usefulness. Durability further enhances value. Addis housewares typically outlast cheaper alternatives, reducing replacement frequency. The slightly higher initial investment often proves economical over time. Sustainability Considerations As environmental awareness grows, Addis's product characteristics align with sustainable consumption principles. Durability inherently reduces waste. Products lasting years generate less landfill than disposable alternatives requiring frequent replacement. Quality manufacturing supports sustainability through longevity. British manufacturing reduces transportation distances compared to imported alternatives. Products made in Wales and distributed nationally involve fewer shipping miles than goods crossing continents. Reusable products replace disposables in various applications. Durable laundry baskets outlast cheap alternatives, quality mops reduce reliance on disposable cleaning products, and proper food storage reduces waste through extended freshness. Choosing Addis Products When selecting Addis housewares, consider actual requirements alongside available options. For laundry solutions, assess available storage space. Collapsible baskets suit tight utility areas whilst rattan hampers work where display rather than concealment is preferred. Capacity should match household washing frequency – larger for families doing fewer, bigger loads. Cleaning equipment choice depends on preferences and floor types. Spray mops suit quick clean-ups whilst traditional mops and buckets handle more thorough cleaning. Consider storage space for equipment between uses. Storage solutions work best when planned comprehensively. Measure available spaces and consider what needs storing before purchasing. Modular systems allow future expansion as needs evolve. The Addis Heritage Few brands available in UK supermarkets can claim 240+ years of continuous heritage. Addis represents British manufacturing tradition extending from Georgian England through Victorian industrialisation, world wars, post-war prosperity, and contemporary globalisation. This longevity reflects consistent value delivery. Brands don't survive across centuries without satisfying customers generation after generation. The Addis name carries weight because it has earned trust through reliable products and fair dealing across extraordinary spans of time. Today's Addis products continue this tradition. Modern materials and manufacturing techniques serve contemporary needs whilst maintaining the quality expectations that define the brand. Purchasing Addis means connecting with British manufacturing heritage whilst acquiring products designed for modern homes. Conclusion From William Addis's prison cell innovation to modern Welsh manufacturing, Addis has served British households for over 240 years. That extraordinary continuity reflects consistent delivery of quality, value, and practical innovation that serves genuine domestic needs. Whether you're seeking space-saving laundry solutions, effective cleaning equipment, or organised storage, Addis offers products combining heritage quality with contemporary design. Major UK supermarkets stock the range, making these trusted housewares conveniently accessible. Compare Addis prices across UK supermarkets through Grocefully and discover how this historic British brand can serve your household needs with products designed for modern living but built on centuries of experience.