Allied Products Inc. and Avon-Allied Products, Inc.

CP Company | Historical Overview

Allied Products, Incorporated owes its genesis to David H. McConnell, Sr. As written in his obituary of 21 January, 1937, McConnell is identified as, the "founder and president of Allied Products, Inc., of New York City and Suffern, manufacturers of perfumes and toilet articles." Though research continues into the earliest days of Allied Products, Inc., Annual Reports dated from 1943 through 1957 (see immediate right) reveal an interesting transition from Allied Products, Inc. as an umbrella corporation to that of a subsidiary under Avon products, Inc. Admittedly, the average CPC and early-Avon collector may not necessarily care about this particular part of McConnell's business ventures. However, it is good to know that Allied Products Inc. and the later Avon-Allied Products Inc. are simply the names of the manufacturing arm of the later-era California Perfume Company, and then Avon Products, Inc., until Allied's eventual dissolution in 1957. The table to the right annotates the recorded companies found in the Avon's Annual Business Reports  (located in the Avon Archives at the Hagley Museum and Library.)

Except in the Avon Archives, precious little information exists regarding Allied Products, Inc. and Avon Allied Products, Inc. Apparently, this umbrella corporation applied its name and business focus primarily to the research, manufacturing, and distribution arms of the enterprise, while the California Perfume Company and, later, Avon Products, Inc. were focused on sales and delivery. Fortunately, beginning in March 1941, Allied Products, Inc. began publication of its official company organ: Family Album. This modest monthly periodical contained factory-related news, historical highlights, and information of a more personal nature: weddings, births, vacation plans, service enlistments, things for sale and things wanted. Also, public service announcements and war news were shared. Interestingly, the consistent items found within each of the Family Albums were the company sports teams pictures and statistics: bowling, softball, golf, and others. If this periodical was a good indication of the company's values and the shared morale of it's workers, it can honestly be said that McConnell successfully fostered a strong family atmosphere at Allied!

It is valuable to note that during World War II, McConnell committed approximately 50% of Allied's production apparatus to manufacture supplies for the service men and women: gas mask canisters, insect repellent, ointments, salves, and many other items of a humanitarian aid nature. Following the war, Avon-Allied Products' full production capacity was once again turned to the manufacture of toiletries and household items.

As relevant information surfaces, this article will be expanded.

Following are pictures and memorabilia of Allied and Avon-Allied Products, Inc.:

 The McConnell Club "Blues" Softball Team
From the September 1941 edition of The Family Album

Allied Prodcuts Inc. Christmas Party Program and Menu (Cover)
~23 December, 1935

Allied Prodcuts Inc. Christmas Party Program and Menu (Opened)
~23 December, 1935

D. H. McConnell Club Membership Card ~1941

Allied-Avon Workers Identification Button ~1940's

Following are products manufactured under the Allied Products label, primarily in support of the war effort during World War II:

Products Manufactured by the Avon-Allied Products, Inc.
~1940

CP Company | Historical Overview