OUR HISTORY

The Chemical Distribution Network is a $1.5 Billion distributor-owned organization designed to position distributors to better service customers in the rapidly changing chemical distribution industry and evolving e-commerce market.

CDN evolved out of a group called ChemSource, which was comprised of Illinois-based chemical distributors. ChemSource came together to take advantage of the economies and increased marketing power being part of a group affords.

Larry Hayes, the first Chairman of CDN, was also Chairman of ChemSource. The success of ChemSource led the group to expand beyond the Midwest.  The Chemical Distribution Network had its first organizational meeting in June of 2000.

The network assists its independent distributor members to effectively improve customer service.  Group marketing programs also help individual members compete in what has become a consolidating, competitive industry.

CDN is expanding and adding new members and new distribution points.  While CDN members uses an e-commerce to connect with customers and suppliers electronically, all CDN members are established companies with “bricks and mortar” distribution facilities.  They are not “dot coms.”

CDN’s Warrenville, IL headquarters functions as a central office, providing a platform for shared investment in technology and coordination of the network activities and programs. CDN was led by Chris Coates who was Executive Director for 16 years. CDN’s present management team includes Keith Pappert-Association Managing Director, Russell Lecomte-Imports Managing Director, and a Board of Managing Members.

Current CDN members include:

• Astro Chemicals, Inc., Springfield, MA
• Barton Solvents, Des Moines, IA
• Borden & Remington Corp., Fall River, MA
• Brainerd Chemical Company, Inc., Tulsa, OK
• Brown Chemical, Oakland, N.J.
• ChemGroup Companies: Bonded Chemicals Inc., Columbus, OH; Chemical Services Inc., Dayton, OH; Chemicals Inc. USA, Cincinnati, OH; Chemical Resources Inc., Louisville, KY; Specialty Chemical Co. LLC, Cleveland, TN
• Chemisphere Corp., St. Louis MO
• Colonial Chemical Solutions, Inc., Savannah, GA
• John R. Hess & Company, Inc., Cranston, R.I.
• Ketsin de Costa Rica Limitada, San Rafael de Alajuela, Costa Rica
• Lowe Chemical Company, Cleveland, OH
• Maryland Chemical Company, Baltimore, MD
• Producers Chemical Company, Sugar Grove, IL
• Seeler Industries, Inc., Joliet, IL
• Valley Solvents & Chemicals, Harlingen, TX
• Viking Chemical Company, Rockford, IL
• Webb Chemical Service Corp., Muskegon Heights, MI
• Whitaker Oil Company, Atlanta, GA