History
Having entered the chemical distribution business in 1912, Brenntag has successfully expanded to become the world market leader in full-line chemical distribution based on sales (2008 data).From the first expansion beyond Germany in 1966, through the entry into the U.S. market in the early 1970's, to their accelerated growth worldwide throughout the past two decades, much of the growth has been enabled by selective acquisitions in key growth areas around the world.
The most recent milestone acquisition was the purchase in late 2008 of the distribution business of Rhodia, giving Brenntag the first distribution presence in the Asia Pacific region.
Some highlights of the history include:
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1874
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Philipp Mühsam founds egg wholesale business in Berlin that later becomes Brenntag
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1912
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Entry into chemical distribution business
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1938
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"Brennstoff-, Chemikalien- und Transport AG" becomes "Brenntag"
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1943-1944
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Headquarters moves from Berlin to Mülheim an der Ruhr
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1950-1959
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Expansion of warehousing network and product lines, including inorganic and organic chemicals, solvents, plastics, resins and specialty chemicals
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1966
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Brenntag becomes multinational, acquiring Balder in Belgium
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1970-1979
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U.S business established; continued acquisitions in European and North American chemicals distribution business
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1980-1989
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U.S. expansion includes acquisitions of distributors Western Chemical (1980), Textile Chemical (1981), Delta (1986), Crown (1989) and PB&S Chemicals (1989)
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1990-1999
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Strong expansion in Europe via acquisitions (including Wülfing, Rühl, and Schuster & Sohn in Germany, GDC, Orchidis and Bonnave-Dubar in France, and Sepic and Bombardieri-Cambiaghi Group in Italy) and joint ventures (including Staub & Co. and CVH Hannover in Germany)
Takeover of Neuber Group in Austria establishes foothold in Central and Eastern Europe Further U.S. acquisitions include Southchem (1993) and Milsov (1998) |
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2000
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Acquisition of Holland Chemical International, then the fifth-largest chemical distributor worldwide, with large market shares in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and the United States, and the leading market position in Latin America, where Brenntag previously had not been represented
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2002
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Purchase of 50% of Biesterfeld Chemiedistribution, significantly expanding capacity in Germany. Later on the stake in the company was gradually increased up to nearly complete ownership
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2004
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Significant advances in facilities, including fully automatic high-bay warehouse in Duisburg, Germany and expansion of key hub facility in Sao Paolo, Brazil
Expansions into Poland (with acquisition of Orlen Polimer) and Turkey (with establishment of a new subsidiary, Brenntag Kimya) Acquisition of specialty chemicals distribution business of Aquacryl Ltd./Chemacryl Ltd. (United Kingdom) |
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2005
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Opening of a facility in Poznan, Poland and integrated distribution center in Lancaster, Texas
Integration of Herkommer & Bangerter business and acquisition of U.S. business of Quadra |
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2006
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Continued expansion with focus on achieving leading market positions including acquisitions of LA Chemical (United States, operations in California, Arizona and Utah), Schweizerhall Chemie (Switzerland), Albion Chemicals Group (United Kingdom), and Wil-Chem Specialty Chemicals (Canada)
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2007-present
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Continued growth through targeted acquisitions, including St. Lawrence Chemical (Canada), Ulrich Chemical (United States), Natural World (Italy), Abaci (Turkey), Schoofs (United States), Dipol (Ukraine, Latvia and Russia), Schmidt (Netherlands), Inquimex (Argentina) and Austro Corp. (Mexico), as well as distribution rights in Sweden and Belgium of Yara International ASA (Norway)
Acquisition of Southeast Asia chemicals distribution business of Rhodia establishes foothold in growing Asia Pacific market |
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