6 modern brands that appeared in the Russian Empire

1. "New Dawn"

This company produces the same “Red Moscow” perfume. She appeared in 1864. Then the young Frenchman Heinrich Brocard, who worked at a perfume factory, decided to open a soap factory. The workshop was located in a former stable, and the only tools I purchased were a stove, a couple of pots and a mortar.

First of all, the Frenchman created a batch of ordinary bar soap “Children’s”. But it lost in the fight against well-promoted competitors. The entrepreneur's wife, Charlotte, suggested experimenting with the form. Soap in the form of tangerines, letters and animals began to be produced under the Brocard and Co brand. It worked! Parents began to actively buy the company's products.

In the early 1870s, Brocard decides to add perfumes to the range. And by the 20th century, he managed to become the official supplier of the imperial court. But it was not possible to rejoice at this victory for a long time: in December 1900, the entrepreneur died. The matter passed to the wife and children. In 1913, for the anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, Brocard and Co. prepared a special perfume for Maria Feodorovna, the mother of Nicholas II, “The Empress’s Favorite Bouquet.”

In 1917, the brand was nationalized, and in 1922 it changed its name to “New Dawn”. Three years later, “Red Moscow” appears on the shelves. By the way, according to one version, these perfumes are definitely repeat the olfactory pyramid of that same “Favorite Bouquet of the Empress”. But there are other legends, for example, that the composition was collected already in the USSR with the participation of Polina Zhemchuzhina, the wife of Vyacheslav Molotov. Now "New Dawn" is still continues to release this legendary fragrance, and with it about 160 other perfumes. They also offer deodorants, nail polishes, home compositions and other products.

2. "Bolshevik"

The history of this confectionery company also begins with a foreign entrepreneur. Young Frenchman Adolphe Sioux moved to Moscow in 1853 to work in a perfume house and in the future to launch his own business in the Russian Empire. He didn’t wait long: already in 1855, he and his wife opened a family confectionery shop. At first there was no profit: Siu was busy at work, so he could not devote himself entirely to sweets. In 1861, his employment contract ended and the confectionery business began to grow. The assortment now includes marshmallows, gingerbread, ice cream, coffee, and cocoa. Sales volumes increased to 24.5 tons of products per year.

In 1881, the Frenchman officially registered his brand - the trading house "A. Sioux and Co.” Three years later, the company was taken over by Adolf's children. And in 1913 became supplier to the imperial court. It was then created the famous “Jubilee” cookies - the recipe was developed specifically for the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty.

After the revolution, the company was nationalized and renamed Bolshevik. The brand during the USSR was often participated at VDNKh (formerly VSKhV). This exhibition traditionally showcased the main achievements of domestic manufacturers. By the way, in 2023 she will turn 100 years old. In honor of the anniversary, VDNKh will host an international exhibition and forum “Russia” with the same concept: it will open on November 4 and will operate until April 12, 2024.

In the 1990s, the Bolshevik brand again had a French owner - his bought it out Danone. In 2007 the company moved on to the American concern Kraft Foods, and in 2012 to Mondelēz International. All these rearrangements had no effect on Yubileiny - it even turned into a separate line: in addition to the classic version of these cookies, there are options with icing of different flavors, whole grain crackers and cupcakes.

3. "Rot Front"

A confectionery company whose sweets are now available in any supermarket, appeared in 1826. Then it was not a huge company, but a small family workshop of the Moscow merchant Sergei Lenov. The founder of the business only made candy and fudge. Expand the range and increase production volumes decided already Lenov’s grandson, Georgy, who received the business in 1886. Together with his wife Ekaterina, he purchased new production buildings and machines, and added sweets, chocolate and marmalade to the product line. The factory acquired the name “Lenov Trading House”. The brand's confectionery products were popular in Russia and went to international exhibitions, including in Rome: there in 1911 the company received the main award.

After the revolution, the company was transferred to the state. For some time it was called the “Confectionery Factory of the Centrosoyuz”, but in 1931 it became the “Rot Front” - after the German anti-fascist organization. By 1938, the factory had become one of the largest confectionery manufacturers in the USSR: it created 176 different sweets. In 1959 she came up with her legendary candies - Rot Front bars, and in 1980 she was the first in Russia to start producing chewing gum.

Now the factory annually produces about 74 thousand tons of products, and its assortment includes 300 items. In addition, since 2002, Rot Front has been part of the United Confectioners holding.

4. "Red Boilermaker"

This boiler plant in Taganrog appeared in 1896. His founder - Belgian Albert Neuve, who moved to Russia at the insistence of his uncle, a famous industrialist. He named the company “Albert Neuve, Wilde and Co.” She created boilers for steam locomotives and ships, railway bridges, as well as equipment for mines and furnaces.

After the revolution, the plant was given to the Southern Machine-Building Trust. In 1925 the name changed to “Red Boilermaker”. In 1934 the company began to produce drums for boiler factories, and in 1948 - to supply goods to Romania, Hungary and China. Over time, the plant’s range was expanded to include equipment for coal, gas and nuclear power plants.

In the 1990s, “Red Boilermaker” again became private enterprise and received a certificate of the international standard ISO 9001. The plant is still creating equipment for Russia and for export, and its products are used in 40 countries around the world.

5. "Egorievsky Textile"

The history of a large textile enterprise in Yegoryevsk near Moscow began with belts and sashes. At the beginning of the 19th century, our own workshop for the manufacture of such accessories launched peasant Ivan Khludov. At first he did this in his native village of Akatovo. In 1817 he moved to Moscow. There he gradually increased production volumes and supplied his goods to various shops on Red Square. And later he acquired two of his own retail outlets.

In 1835, the entrepreneur died, his business went to his sons - Alexei and Gerasim. The younger Khludovs expanded the range - in fact, they began to produce fabrics. In the 1840s, they received the status of merchants of the first guild and opened the trading house “A., N., G. and D. Ivan Khludov’s sons” and purchased English machines. Then the brand continued to gain popularity and even appeared on the international market. For example, in 1867, the Khludovs’ linen products visited the world exhibition in Paris.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the company temporarily suspended work, and in 1922 it returned under the name “Leader of the Proletariat”. Modern brand name received in 1992 after privatization.

6. "Babaevsky"

The founder of this brand is serf peasant Stepan Nikolaev. His family prepared sweets for the master's table. He was especially good at apricot pastilles and jam. In 1804, Stepan was given his freedom; he and his wife and children moved to Moscow. There the Nikolaevs continued to prepare treats for the holidays of merchants and officials. Apricot dishes still remained the star - for this, novice confectioners were nicknamed Apricots. In 1814, the family officially changed their surname.

Year after year the workshop grew. But the breakthrough happened in the 1850s, when the business came under the control of Alexei Abrikosov, the grandson of Stepan Nikolaev. The company acquires machines for grating almonds and making monpensiers, and hires a couple of dozen hired workers. In the 1870s, the company officially became a confectionery factory, employing more than a hundred people. It also acquired a network of retail stores in different cities of the country.

After nationalization, the company was first given the name “State Confectionery Factory No. 2”, and then close to today’s name – “Factory named after. worker P. A. Babaeva". By the way, at first next to the new name they put the note “formerly. Abrikosova” - the brand was so loud and popular.

In the 1990s, the factory was privatized: first it was called Babaevsky OJSC, and then Babaevsky Confectionery Concern OJSC. Now the company still produces various sweets, including “Inspiration” candies and branded chocolate.