About US
The iconic Australian brand Oates® is a brand of Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions (FHCS), a leading global supplier of branded cleaning systems as well as household and laundry care products. Oates® now joins an impressive portfolio of brands such as Vileda®, Vileda Professional®, Research Products®, O-Cedar®, SWASH®, Gimi®, Gala®, Wettex® and Marigold®.
The Oates business originated in the A. A. Oates broom factory that operated in North Melbourne before the First World War. Starting with cotton mops in 1930, Edgar Oates, his father Albert and brothers Bert and Lawrence worked through the tough years of the great depression with Edgar and Lawrence then serving their country in the Second World War. In the post war years the product range was steadily expanded and production facilities improved. A reputation amongst trade buyers as a reliable supplier of quality products was firmly established in all markets.
During the 1980’s and 1990’s acquisitions and innovative product development together with the opening of warehouses and sales offices in all major capitals resulted in Oates becoming the leading supplier of cleaning products in Australasia.
In June 2010, Research Products and Citrus Resources became a trading name and a division of Oates.
Research Products range ensures that a complete cleaning solution is available for commercial cleaners of hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, offices, factories, warehouses and shopping centres throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Since its establishment in 1982, Research Products has been recognised as an innovator in the supply of hard floor and carpet cleaning solutions. These products are highly concentrated and deliver outstanding results.
In 1992 a new concept of cleaning products for commercial use was introduced, called Citrus Resources. These products help to sustain the environment and are safer to use yet powerful enough for commercial use. Citrus Resources has taken simple, renewable and harvested citrus crops and other plantation by products and turned them into natural, highly biodegradable cleaning products, many of which are approved by Good Environmental Choice Australia.
At the commencement of 2022 the Oates® range comprises more than 1,200 products and customers range from the largest supermarkets, DIY chains and mass merchants to hospitals, airports and many other Professional cleaning environments as well as export customers across the Pacific and Asia. Oates® has been able to ensure the highest levels of service and quality with modern warehousing systems in conjunction with a knowledgeable and experienced national sales force.
