The pioneering company of perfumes and soaps in Portugal.

 

One was a chemist, and the other an importer. They combined their expertise and established Porto in 1887 to establish the first soap and perfume factory in Portugal. Both German nationals, Ferdinand Claus and Georges Schweder embarked on this innovative venture to make perfumes and soaps more accessible. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy such fragrant products with local essences?

 

One company, two brands, one single purpose.

 

Later, a third key figure joined the brand. Achilles de Brito started as a bookkeeper, or as it’s known today, an accountant for Claus & Schweder, in 1903. Five years later, he became a partner in the company. In 1916, after Germany declared war on Portugal and the country entered the First World War, the two founders decided to leave Portugal due to the tension caused by the conflict.

The Claus & Schweder factory was nationalised during the First World War, and in 1918, Achilles de Brito purchased the company, which would become known as Ach Brito. In 1924, the Ach Brito group finally acquired the assets of the former Claus & Schweder, marking the beginning of a new phase with two distinct brands: Ach Brito, focused on the national market, and Claus Porto, aimed at the international market. This commercial strategy remains in place to this day.

The merit of the two brands led them to be recognised and awarded abroad and in Portugal. The factories grew and celebrated their 50th anniversary with the presence of the then President of the Republic, Américo Thomaz.

A remarkable display of creativity and forward-thinking, the factory building gave birth to a lithograph through innovation and strategic vision. All labels were produced in-house, by hand, with the specialised touch of commercial artists—the term of the time for graphic design professionals. The company quickly realised that well-crafted packaging with appealing colours drew more attention from buyers. Thirty commercial artists worked on creating the most beautiful packaging, some inspired by the Belle Époque, others reflecting Portuguese daily life. Today, the rich history can be explored in the book ‘Claus Porto 130 Anos’. It features images of completed and unfinished labels, as well as studies of potential font families.

The products of Ach Brito and Claus Porto have undoubtedly made their way into many homes over the years. The company has remained committed to offering quality products at affordable prices, particularly the Ach Brito range, making them readily available in various retail outlets. Who hasn’t heard of the Patti soap, inspired by the opera singer Adelina Patti? Or the Lavanda cologne? And the Musgo Real aftershave?

 

All great ideas have at least one mentor; in this case, there were four generations.

 

In 1994, the 4th generation of the Brito family joined the business: Aquiles and Sónia. At the young age of 22, Aquiles boldly embraced the challenge of leading the company. Without his proactive attitude, Ach Brito might have been nothing more than a memory from the past.

When Aquiles began his career, he encountered a challenging period. After Portugal joined the EEC, many Portuguese people believed that foreign products were superior to those made in Portugal. Despite his youth and inexperience, Aquiles made the bold decision to take the Claus Porto brand—a product of Portugal—abroad, focusing on the United States and Canada. It was a brilliant strategy!

Today, the Portuguese people appreciate their national products and recognise the high quality of what is made in Portugal. Ach Brito, Claus Porto, and Confiança—one of the country’s oldest soap factories, acquired by Ach Brito in 2009—have gained significant recognition both nationally and internationally. Claus Porto now operates three stores in Portugal: two in Lisbon and one in Porto, which serves as the flagship store. In 2018, a shop was opened in New York, meticulously designed to evoke the essence of Portugal. However, during the pandemic, they decided to close that shop and open a new one in Tokyo, Japan.

 

All great ideas have at least one mentor; in this case, they had the support of an entire country.