Hillbrush was established in 1922 by Fred and Bill Coward in the small rural town of Mere, Wiltshire. The brothers named their business The Hill Brush Company, inspired by its location at the base of the distinctive Castle Hill, a landmark still visible in Mere today. Initially, the company specialised in making brushes for the dairy and agricultural industries. However, within a few years, many streets across the country were being swept with Hillbrush products.
Over time, the family business expanded as the next generation joined. Fred and Bill were later joined by their sons, David and Richard, as well as Bill’s son-in-law, Brian Thomas. In 1997, David's son Martin became the company’s Finance Director, while his second son, Philip, served as Managing Director of Hillbrush in the UK until 2018. At that point, leadership passed to Philip’s son, Charles, and Martin’s son, Andy, who became Co-Managing Directors. Philip now serves as Chairman of Hillbrush and is also President of Hillbrush Inc. in the United States. Meanwhile, Richard’s son Peter, a former Vice President of Hillbrush USA, is a board member. Hillbrush USA is based in Baltimore, Maryland.
From its inception, the company distinguished its brushes with a salmon logo, inspired by Bill’s passion for salmon fishing. The salmon symbol not only set Hillbrush apart from its competitors but also reflected the superior quality of its products, as the salmon is often called the "King of Fish." While the logo has evolved over the years, the salmon remains central to Hillbrush’s identity. To this day, many locals and customers around the world affectionately refer to the company as ‘salmon brushes,’ ‘the fish brand,’ or ‘the brushes with the fish.’
