Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals

In 1932 the German owned Beiersdorf Ltd moved to 15 Bessemer Road, WGC. Facilities included offices plus a factory for manufacturing 'Nivea' products and other toiletries and plasters. In 1939 the Second World War posed difficulties for the company - those who were German nationals would be arrested and interned. The company changed its name to Herts Pharmaceuticals Ltd in 1940 but it wasn't until 1947 that the British authorities noticed Herts Pharmaceuticals was still owned by Beiersdorf in Germany. At that point Herts Pharmaceuticals Ltd was transferred to the Custodian of Enemy Property and in 1951 the company was put up for sale - with Smith & Nephew Ltd successfully bidding for the company in August that year. We are very grateful to Beiersdorf AG for contributing a wonderful collection of material from their archive.

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Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
The Beiersdorf factory in Bessemer Road - photograph date 1930s. The Trust is very grateful to Beiersdorf AG for allowing us to make use of the company's archive material.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Mr Meyer (managing director of the company in WGC) and four legged friend inspect the Beiersdorf Ltd factory under construction. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
The Beiersdorf Ltd factory under construction. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
The Beiersdorf Ltd factory under construction. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
The Beiersdorf Ltd factory under construction. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
The Beiersdorf Ltd factory in Bessemer Road - side view. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Beiersdorf Ltd factory in Bessemer Road - interior shot showing supplies. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Beiersdorf Ltd factory interior. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Inside the Beiersdorf factory in Bessemer Road. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Office staff of Beiersdorf Ltd outside their factory in Bessemer Road. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany. We are also grateful to Ena W who helped identify some of the staff.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Office staff of Beiersdorf Ltd outside their factory in Bessemer Road. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Factory & office staff of Beiersdorf Ltd outside their factory in Bessemer Road. This photograph dates to the 1930s and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
A 1934 advertisement for Nivea Creme. The Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
A 1935 advertisement for Nivea Creme. The Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
A Beiersdorf Ltd advertisement dating from 1939 - it states that the company 'is, and always has been, an English firm financed with American capital. There is no connection, financially or otherwise, either directly or indirectly with any German organisation. The Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Nivea advert dating from 1939 - note the nurse pictured in the bottom left square to demonstrate health as well as beauty benefits. The Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals

Skin Needs Nivea an advert dating from 1948 - note the slogan 'doctors use and recommend it' - issued by Herts Pharmaceuticals. The Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.

Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
A selection of Nivea products by Herts Pharmaceuticals Ltd, WGC and its associated companies in South Africa, Canada & Eire. This image dates from 1948 and the Trust is grateful to Beiersdorf AG for donating a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
An advert for 'Sleek' plastic adhesive strapping from Herts Pharmaceuticals with the slogan 'as waterproof as a ducks back'. It dates from 1948 and the Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
A Nivea Creme advert from 1949 issued by Herts Pharmaceuticals encouraging chemists & other stockists to transform their stock of Nivea Creme by using a 'festive wrapper' as well as ordering new supplies. The Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
A Nivea Creme advert from Herts Pharmaceuticals. The Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Herts Pharmaceutical Ltd staff outside the Bessemer Road factory - image donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Edith S (who worked for the company making Nivea Cream) as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Herts Pharmaceutical Ltd staff in the Bessemer Road factory - image donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Edith S (who worked for the company making Nivea Cream) as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Herts Pharmaceutical Ltd staff outside the Bessemer Road factory - image donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Edith S (who worked for the company making Nivea Cream) as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
WGC part of the town plan drawn by Louis De Soissons - showing what was the Beiersdorf Ltd, which then became Herts Pharmaceuticals Ltd and ended up as the Smith & Nephew Ltd factory site in Bessemer Road. (Factory no. 41 on this plan - highlighted yellow).
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Herts Pharmaceuticals - a heat sealing machine being operated by a 16year old Kit who donated this image to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Nivea Creme packing line - 3rd from the right is Kit who donated this picture to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Nivea Creme research chemists in front of their laboratory. Kit, who donated this picture to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project, is 4th down the stairs. Second from the top of the stairs is a glass blower.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
Nivea Creme staff - wearing their uniforms. 2nd left in the back row is Kit who donated this image to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
Beiersdorf to Herts Pharmaceuticals
A Louis De Soissons map of the factory area of the town. The Trust is extremely grateful to Beiersdorf AG for sending us a copy from its archive in Germany.
 
 
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