Kleeneze

Kleeneze is a homeware company started in 1923, in Hanham, Bristol.

Kleeneze
IndustryHomeware
Founded1923 (1923) in Hanham, Bristol, England
FounderHarry Crook
ParentEuropean Home Retail (1995-2007)
Findel plc (2007-2015)
JRJR Networks (2015-2018)
Ultimate Products (2018-present)
Websitekleeneze.com

The company's founder, Harry Crook, had emigrated to the United States with his family several years earlier, and whilst there joined Fuller Brush as a sales representative. He returned to Bristol several years later, and started a business making brushes which were sold door-to-door by salesmen.[1]

In 1995, Kleeneze was bought by European Home Retail (EHR). The company was bought by Findel PLC in 2007, after the collapse of EHR. In 2015, Findel sold Kleeneze to CVSL, an American holding company,[2] as part of their MLM portfolio.

The company remained at its original Hanham site for almost 80 years. In May 2004, the company relocated its headquarters and distribution centre to Warmley. In 2007, after the acquisition by Findel, it was announced that the company would move to Hyndburn.[3][4]

Kleeneze was a founder member of the UK's Direct Selling Association until 2017.[5]

In 2016, funding was obtained from Greater Manchester Combined Authority to set up a warehouse and distribution centre in Rochdale.[6]

Kleeneze went into administration under the firm FRP Advisory on 12 April 2018. According to the administrator, a period of rough trading and operational issues following its 2017 move to Heywood had caused the company to seek a buyer to save the company. At the time, the company reported 140 jobs and 5,000 distributors.[7]

In 2018, the brand was purchased by Ultimate Products.[8]

References
  1. Langdon, Ken (2004). The 100 Greatest Business Ideas of All Time. John Wiley & Sons. p. 55. ISBN 9781841126005.
  2. "Findel Completes £3.4m Kleeneze Disposal". Insider Media. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  3. Kleeneze sweeps in with 200 jobs Lancashire Telegraph - 08 Feb 2007
  4. "Kleeneze to close Bristol factory". BBC. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  5. "Kleeneze Ltd". Direct Selling Association (U.K.). Archived from the original on 25 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  6. "Investment boost for Kleeneze and Optimise Hiring". Manchester Evening News. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  7. "Kleeneze retailer in administration". BBC News. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  8. "Kleeneze Rights Sold By Charterfields To Ultimate Products". Charterfields. 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2020-12-11.


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