Rodo/ProDec
In December 1925 Mr Joseph Brierley resigned from KRA Brushes when they moved from Ashton under Lyne. In February 1926 he set up in business in Old Street, Ashton under Lyne, with three employees, producing brushes for the textile trade, corporation brooms, and scavenger brooms for a Manchester company called Roto Limited, who manufactured salt licks for cattle which they distributed to farms along with other requisites. Roto's Managing Director, a Mr Holt, agreed with Joseph to form a company called Rodo and to take a portion of the capital. However, within a short period Mr Holt wished to sell his portion, which Joseph then purchased. This was a difficult period, with the famous 1926 General Strike and the start of the contraction of the Lancashire textile industry.
Rodo became a limited company in November 1926. Joseph's son Jack Brierley senior joined Rodo in 1934. Trade grew and was gradually improving when war broke out in 1939. Jack was quickly called to the colours but his older brother Clifford Brierley kept Rodo together in spite of great material shortages. Joseph Brierley passed away in 1943 and in 1946 Rodo moved into several new lines, notably basic painting sundries and industrial clothing.
In time the third generation of the family came on board and three new younger Brierleys - Bill, Jack junior and Tony - joined Rodo. Eventually the company decided to move and bought larger premises on Oldham Road, Ashton under Lyne. But within 10 years business was growing so fast that the company had to move again. It was at this time, in 1990, that Clifford Brierley passed away after 10 years of retirement. In 2001 the business was once again relocated to larger premises in Droyslden, east Manchester.
Rodo supplies branded and own label products to all the major players in the UK trade, both under its own brands - including Blackrock, ProDec, Fit For The Job, Job Done - and in own label. The company also has a significant presence amongst independent DIY merchants, supplying branded products, including Fit for the Job, and own label.
