History

Quality and experience since 1921. AS Spodrība celebrates its centenary this year!

The beginnings of AS Spodrība date back to 1921, when a company for the production of shoe polish “J.A. Mednis un biedrs" was established in Riga. In 1927, the shoe polish received the Grand-Prix award for excellent achievement during an exhibition in Paris. In the late 1920s, 80% of the residents of Latvia used this shoe polish.

Initially, the production was divided into three departments:

• Pharmaceutical (dealt with the manufacturing of medicinal products in ampoules);
• Medicinal herbs (performed the processing of local medicinal herbs);
• Chemically-technical (manufactured various types of polishing agents and leather care agents).

• In 1940, the SPODRĪBA factory was established by uniting and nationalising several factories.
• In 1960, the production facilities of the factory were moved to Dobele, where new production plants and administrative premises were built in the territory of a former flour mill.
• In 1974, factory SPODRĪBA, which, at the time, employed 550 people, was merged into “Latvbithim” union, which was a part of a USSR scale company “Sojuzbithim”.
• Privatisation process of state property was launched in 1994, as a result of which SPODRĪBA factory was transformed into a joint stock company.

• In 2005, AS Chemical Factory “Spodrība” attracted investors from Iceland, which enabled the company to raise its turnover.
• In 2006, the Icelandic investors bought the factory.
• In 2007, SPODRĪBA started to sell its products under a new logo “Seal”, which, in English, is an animal that has long been a symbol of water, cleanness and purity in nature. On the other hand, the name stands for a seal or a signet, marking the historic significance of the brand, the lasting values of the company and the quality of its products.
• In 2012, the title of AS Chemical Factory “Spodrība” was changed to AS “SPODRĪBA”.

Through the decades, the product range of the company has been continuously expanded and upgraded. Currently the company has three development directions or brands:

• SEAL – dealing in the production of high-quality household chemicals. The product range includes cleaning and washing agents for home and clothing, products for gardening and other household products. Currently, SPODRĪBA is the largest manufacturer of home care products in Latvia.

• SEAL COSMETICS – manufacturing of high-quality cosmetic products at competitive prices. SPODRĪBA has been manufacturing body care products for more than 50 years and plans to expand in the manufacturing of cosmetics in the nearest future.

• ECO SEAL FOR NATURE – ecological cleaning agents and cosmetics that have received the official “EU Ecolabel”! In 2012, SPODRĪBA became the first manufacturer in the Baltic states and is still the only company in Latvia that manufactures ecological cleaning agents and cosmetics that have received the official EU Ecolabel. The Latvian Association of Bronchial Asthma and Allergy Patients has also recognised the products of the company. By selecting such products, the buyer is able to make responsible decisions and take care of their health and the environment.