Our History
Thornton & Ross started life as a Manufacturing Chemist, providing a service to pharmacists who were able to order standard preparations from the British Pharmacopeia and have them supplied, labelled with their own pharmacy name and address. One of the founders, Nathan Thornton, had previously worked with coal tar based disinfectants and his interest lead him to develop the company's first brand - Zoflora.
1922
1922
On the 23rd November 1922, Thornton & Ross was founded by Mr Nathan Thornton and Mr Phillip Ross in a rented premise in an old dye house in Colne Vale Road, Milnsbridge, Huddersfield
1920's to 30's
1920's to 30's
By 1926, Thornton & Ross had 10 employees and purchased its first car for a company representative. The Company moved to its current premises in 1937
1940's to 50's
1940's to 50's
During the Second World War, the company was in war work producing medicines - and had government contracts for the manufacture of large quantities of disinfectant
1960's to 70's
1960's to 70's
The 1960's & 70's saw the rise of supermarkets, and Thornton & Ross eventually expanded distribution for Zoflora outside of pharmacies
1980's to 90's
1980's and 90's
In 1998, Thornton & Ross celebrated its 75th Anniversary, and the Covonia Bull made its first appearance in the press, before going onto TV the following year
2000 to 2010
2000 to 2010
In 2006, following a succesful Stage III Clinical Trial, the company launched the first licensed,non-pesticide treatment for head lice in the UK- Hedrin
2011
2011
In September 2013, Thornton & Ross was sold to STADA AG, becoming part of the STADA Group, which itself was subject to a voluntary public takeover by Bain Capital and Cinven in 2017
2014
2014
Flexitol was acquired as a brand from LaCorium Health
2019
2019
Acquisition of a portfolio of brands from GSK in Oilatum, Eurax, Savlon, Tixylix and Polytar.
2022
2022
A new STADA T&R head office opens at The Globe in Slaithwaite.
2023
2023
Opticrom Eye Drops brand is acquired from Sanofi
