Company History

In 1943, Charles Breazeale began handcrafting soap with a simple goal: to deliver quality personal care products with integrity and consistency. That commitment to excellence laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most respected names in soap manufacturing history.

Our History

Vanguard Over the Years

1938

During the Great Depression, Charles Breazeale earned his chemistry degree at just 19 years old. After working a variety of odd jobs, he began his soapmaking career in 1938 as a chemist at the Tennessee Soap Company, which was an early step in what would become a lifelong pursuit of excellence in soap manufacturing.

1943

In 1943, Charles and Evelyn Breazeale founded what would become Vanguard Soap, combining Charles’s chemistry expertise with Evelyn’s dedication to building a resilient, family-owned business.

1943

That same year, Charles Breazeale developed a new line of washing powders – an innovation that expanded the company’s offerings beyond bar soap and laid the foundation for future growth in the personal care industry.

1945

In 1945, Charles and Evelyn Breazeale purchased the site that still houses Vanguard Soap’s operations today. With the new space, they expanded production into bar soap, liquid soap, sanitary janitorial products, and car washing solutions, marking the company’s evolution into a full-service manufacturer.

1951

In 1951, Charles and Evelyn Breazeale acquired the Tennessee Soap Company – the very place where Charles had started his soapmaking career just over a decade earlier.

1966

In 1966, Jim Breazeale joined the family business during a challenging period. The company had overextended into too many product lines and had become heavily reliant on declining government contracts, prompting the need for renewed focus and strategic direction.

1967

In 1967, Jim Breazeale acquired a New York-based soap company to expand Vanguard’s soap base production capabilities – a strategic move that helped strengthen the company’s core manufacturing foundation.

1969

In 1969, Jim Breazeale launched a new division focused on processing vegetable oils into fatty acids. Over the following years, he steadily expanded this unit, further diversifying the company’s capabilities in raw material production.

1997

In 1997, Jim Breazeale acquired the assets of a New Jersey soap company, expanding Vanguard’s capabilities in industrial soap and soap base production to better serve large-scale manufacturing partners.

1998

In 1998, Jeff Breazeale joined Valley Products, beginning his career in the company’s consumer bar soap division. This marked the start of a new generation’s involvement in the family business.

2009

In 2009, Jeff Breazeale and his management team founded Vanguard Soap, acquiring the assets of the original family-owned bar soap business. This move marked a renewed focus on growth, innovation, and long-term stability.

2010

In 2010, Vanguard expanded its manufacturing capabilities to include liquid soaps and body washes, broadening its reach in the personal care market.

2014

In 2014, the shareholder groups of Vanguard Soap and Valley Products merged under a single holding company, unifying operations and leadership to support continued growth.

Founding Vision

Vanguard Soap was founded by Charles Breazeale, whose first batches of soap were made using kettle-cooking methods and poured into 1,000-pound frames. As the soap cooled over several days, it was later cut by wire, packaged into wood crates, and shipped to meet wartime government demand. The American Cleaning Institute’s history of soap shows how products like ours shaped personal care routines nationwide.

His guiding principle? “We strive to be the best at meeting the needs of our customers through quality, which is the result of intelligent effort.” That mindset has shaped every decade since.

Vanguard Through the Decades

As consumer demands, regulations, and technologies have changed, so has our approach to soap manufacturing. Here’s how Vanguard has adapted and grown across each era.

  • 1940s–50s – Early government contracts established Vanguard’s presence in U.S. bar soap manufacturing

  • 1970s – Facility expansion and diversification into glycerin soaps and early liquid products

  • 1990s – Modernization of manufacturing lines and an emphasis on scalable quality systems

  • 2000s – Expansion into private label soap manufacturing for national and boutique brands

  • Today – Over 350 million bars produced annually with a full suite of custom formulation, packaging, and fulfillment services

Innovation in Soap Manufacturing

From its earliest days, Vanguard Soap has stayed ahead by blending deep-rooted expertise with forward-thinking innovation. Our evolution from small-batch kettle soap to high-speed extrusion lines reflects our continued investment in people, equipment, and processes.

As the demand for custom soap manufacturing grew, we built out R&D, quality systems, and packaging solutions to support some of the most recognizable brands in the personal care industry.

Family-Owned & Memphis-Based

Three generations later, Vanguard remains family-owned and operated in Memphis, Tennessee. We’re proud of our heritage and deeply committed to American-made quality. Our team reflects the same values that Charles Breazeale founded the company on: integrity, accountability, and a relentless focus on delivering exceptional results.

A Legacy of Certified Quality

Our growth has never come at the expense of compliance or trust. Vanguard holds industry-leading soap manufacturing certifications including:

  • ISO 9001:2015 for quality management

  • FDA OTC registration

  • RSPO certification for sustainable palm oil

  • OTCO organic certification

Looking Ahead

Vanguard’s journey reflects more than company growth — it’s a story deeply rooted in American soap manufacturing history. If you’re building a brand with that same commitment to quality, get in touch with our team to see how we can work together.