Brenntag AG history, profile and corporate video

 Brenntag AG is a Germany-based company active in the field of full-line chemical distribution. It provides business-to-business distribution solutions for industrial and specialty chemicals. The Company purchases and stores large-scale quantities of industrial and specialty chemicals and repackages them into smaller quantities. The Company operates a network with over 400 locations in over 65 countries. It diversifies its products into two divisions: Industrial Chemicals, including acids and alkaline solutions, solvents, solids and salts and cleaning and degreasing agents, among others, and Specialty Chemicals. It also provides services, including Key Account Management, focusing on development and implementation of tailor-made concepts for supply, Single Sourcing, focusing on building non-strategic B&C products into one supply portfolio, and E-Business, which offers option of cooperation with the Company’s solutions and sector solutions.”

“Brenntag History

Having entered the chemical distribution business in 1912, Brenntag has successfully expanded to become the world market leader in full-line chemical distribution.

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.

Some highlights of the history include:

1874 – Philipp Mühsam founds egg wholesale business in Berlin that later becomes Brenntag

1912 – Entry into chemical distribution business

1938 – “Brennstoff-, Chemikalien- und Transport AG” becomes “Brenntag”

1943-1944 – Headquarters moves from Berlin to Mülheim an der Ruhr

1950-1959 – Expansion of warehousing network and product lines, including inorganic and organic chemicals, solvents, plastics, resins and specialty chemicals

1966 – Brenntag becomes multinational, acquiring Balder in Belgium

1970-1979 – U.S business established; continued acquisitions in European and North American chemicals distribution business

1980-1989 – U.S. expansion includes acquisitions of distributors Western Chemical (1980), Textile Chemical (1981), Delta (1986), Crown (1989) and PB&S Chemicals (1989)

1990-1999 – 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)

2000 – 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

2002 – 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

2004 – Significant advances in facilities, including fully automatic high-bay warehouse in Duisburg, Germany and expansion of key hub facility in Sao Paulo, 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)

2005 – 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

2006 – 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)

2007-2009 – 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

2010 – Since March 29, the Brenntag share is traded at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the Prime Standard Segment, since 21 June 2010 as a member of the MDAX index.

With the acquisition of EAC Industrial Ingredients Ltd. A/S Brenntag significantly expands its presence in Asia Pacific.

At the same time, Brenntag expands its market position in the New England States through the acquisition of certain assets of US chemical distributor Houghton Chemical Corporation.

2011 – By acquiring Zhong Yung (International) Chemical Ltd. Brenntag achieves the strategic market entry in China. The acquisition will take place in two steps and will be completed by 2016 presumably.

Furthermore Brenntag increases its presence in North America in several of Brenntag’s focus industries including the Food & Beverage and Water Treatment industries by acquiring G.S. Robins & Company.

Thanks to the acquisition of Multisol Group Limited Brenntag further develops its market position in the distribution of specialty chemicals with focus on lubricants and base oils including mixing and blending capabilities in Central and Eastern Europe and Africa.

2012 – Brenntag looks back on a successful history in the chemical distribution industry for 100 years.

Brenntag_100thYears_200px

Furthermore Brenntag inaugurated its new head office in Mumbai, India. This new office represents Brenntag’s continued commitment to invest in India and to ensure the company has ample room for its planned growth over the next few years.

The free float of the Brenntag shares increases to 100 percent through the selling of the remaining shares of Brachem Acquisitions S.C.A.

Continued growth through targeted acquisition, including Amco Internacional S.A. de C.V. (Mexico), Petrolube (Italy), ISM/Salkat-Group (Australia and New Zealand), Delanta Group (Argentinia, Uruguay, Chile), TER Corporation and ALTIVIA Corporation (USA)

2013 – With the acquisition of Blue Sky Environment Pty Ltd Brenntag increases its presence in Australia. Furthermore Brenntag acquires the chemical distribution division of the Zytex Group (India) as well as the operational business of Kemira Water Denmark.”

*Information from Forbes.com and Brenntag.com

**Video published on YouTube by “Brenntag“