Kent's Heritage
G B Kent & Sons Ltd, manufacturers of brushes since the eighteenth century is one of the oldest established companies in Great Britain.
Kent Brushes (as they are now more commonly known) was founded in 1777 by William Kent in the reign of George III. Kent holds a pre-eminent place in the history of brush making, with an unbroken record of excellence in the quality of its production which has been recognised by the granting of Royal Warrants for nine reigns.
The Kent family continued to run the company for six generations until 1932 when the last of the three Kent brothers passed away. This is when Mr Eric L.H Cosby, owner of Cosby Brushes Ltd, entered into an association with G.B Kent & Sons. A new chapter was then opened in Kent's long history, and since that time the company has been under the creative and dynamic direction of the Cosby family.
Today, Mr Alan H.L Cosby, grandson to Eric Cosby is the Managing Director and Chairman, with his wife, son and one of his three daughters working for the business. The company headquarters moved from London to their existing factory in Apsley, Hertfordshire on the 6th February 1984, and remains there to this day.
The company continues to retain the craftsmanship and unprecedented quality that is Kent's reputation. Even in today's fast moving, mass-produced assembly, Kent are proud to still be manufacturing many of their original brushes by hand.
Nevertheless, Kent Brushes is committed to developing and enhancing its products with every step they take. Kent harness the latest hi-tech manufacturing processes, whilst building on the time-honoured traditional methods to create the world's finest example of each and every brush that leaves their factory
Our Attitude
Kent's philosophy runs far deeper than just creating a great brush. They are dedicated to exceeding all expectations, are proud of their English manufacturing heritage, and they aim only to continue their commitment to this.
Kent Brushes are one of very few UK hairbrush manufacturers left. With continual pressure from cheap foreign imports branded with 'designer' labels and sold at extortionate prices, Kent has not buckled to the temptation of selling a lesser product at a high price point. They only produce world class products - without compromise.
Material
Kent are renowned for their passion for bristle brushes. The bristle is sourced from the finest bristle merchants in India and China, where quality is guaranteed. (Read our Bristle advice) Timbers are chosen from sustainable forests throughout the world, selected for their beauty, grain, colour and suitability to be shaped, drilled and polished.
Rubber cushions are selected for softness and strength, comfortable for delicate scalps but strong enough to be durable and withstand years of use. Plastic quills have carefully rounded ends to tease their way through tangled hair without pulling or tugging.
The Brush Shop
Kent have a retail shop at their factory and headquarters in Hertfordshire, where anyone can visit to view and purchase any product from their full range. Whilst visiting, you can talk to someone with experience and knowledge, and spend time selecting the right brush whether for personal or professional use.
GB Kent & Sons, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9SA.
Open office hours, 9am-5pm, with on-site free parking.
Finally
Kent can supply any hair brush needed, or source and create any own label range. We will have a stand this year at The Country Living Fair at The Business Design Centre (November), London; Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia, London (November). Salon International at Excel, London (October), The International Gift Fair, Stand CM1-31, at Harrogate (15-18 July) and at The Spring Fair, Birmingham NEC (February). The Duty Free Show in Miami (April) and finally at Beautyworld in the Dubai (May), the largest International Trade Fair for Beauty Products, Cosmetics and Perfumery in the Middle East.
