Boldeman's Soap Works - A local Industry.
Established in 1867.
From the Morning Bulletin 1923.
It has been said that the use of soap is a gauge to the civilisation of a nation. It may be, perhaps, correct in a great measure nowadays; but the use of soap has not always been coexistent with civilisation. It was during the big transition period in the soapmaking industry abroad that the late Mr. W. Boldeman in conjunction with the late Mr. J. B. L. Isambert, established a soapmaking business in Rockhampton in 1867. Both where in partnership for several years, and it was dissolved when Mr. Isambert removed to Ipswich, Mr. Boldeman acquiring his interests.
In 1881, after soapmaking had continued in Rockhampton for fourteen years, Mr. G. A. Boldeman at the age of 27 succeeded his father in the business and personally superintended the works, the manufacture being under his immediate supervision, until some years ago, when, owing to ill health, he was obliged to retire from active participation. Four years ago the business was floated into a limited liability company, with a capital of £20 000. Mr. G. A. Boldeman still retaining an interest in a monetary sense in the concern.The soap making departments are under the direction of his son, Mr. George Boldeman, while his son Mr. Fred Boldeman, is closely identified with various phases of the business.
Mr. G. A. Boldeman is a native of Sydney, where he was born in 1854. In 1862 he came to Queensland with his parents, who for four years resided in Brisbane before settling in Rockhampton.
In the very early stage a brewery on a small scale was run in conjunction with the soapmaking business; but it was unprofitable and consequently was only in existence for a comparatively short period, when attention was concentrated on soapmaking. Principally a few classes for household purposes. The soap was of a superior quality and took prizes at the Sydney international exhibition and also at Brisbane, not to mention local shows.
With the development of Rockhampton, the business has gradually expanded, and the expansion meant the considerable enlargement of premises and the installation of machinery. The process of soap-boiling is carried out in large iron boilers, or what might be designated as "soap pans" or "coppers," each with a capacity of ten tons. The largest soap-boilers have a capacity for a charge of thirty tons or more. Formerly the pans where heated by open firing from below; but now the almost universal practice is to boil by steam. After certain treatment, the soap is ladled into frames for cooling and solidification.
All soap is of course made to the standards provided by the Health Act, Barilla being one of the latest manufactured at Boldeman's soap works. There is also a line of bath soap (carbolic). Every bar of household soap turned out at the works weighs 2lb and the quality of the soap generally is claimed to be at least as good as any sold by southern firms.
Sand soap of first-class quality is also manufactured at Boldeman's soap works. For mixing purposes it was found necessary to get pumice from New Zealand and this is received at the works in a very fine ground state. All other substitutes had failed. After a careful preparation, the sand soap is put into frames and dried.
In addition, Boldeman's works turn out soda crystals. For mixing purposes there are two large soda boiling pots, one with a capacity of three tons, the other of two tons. The liquid is gravitated into iron settling vats, where a portion is crystallised, about two thirds of the liquid has to be re-treated. There are several settling tanks, and all are in regular use. The crystallised lumps are thrown into an iron vat where they are broken up before being shoveled into casks.
Boldeman's soap works command a fair proportion of the trade not only in Rockhampton, Mount Morgan, Gladstone, and Mackay, but in the Central west. In Mackay the Boldeman brand has captured 50 or 60 per cent of the business.
With more encouragement from quarters able to give it, the soap making industry in Rockhampton might easily develop to much larger dimensions.