VWR International
Encyclopedia
VWR, headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, is a global laboratory supply and distribution company with worldwide sales in excess of $3.6 billion in 2010.
VWR enables the advancement of the world's most critical research through the distribution of a highly diversified product line to most of the world's top pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as industrial, educational and governmental organizations. With over 150 years of industry experience, VWR offers a well-established distribution network that reaches thousands of specialized labs and facilities spanning the globe.
VWR has over 7,000 associates around the world working to streamline the way researchers across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific stock and maintain their labs. In addition, VWR further supports its customers by providing onsite services, storeroom management, product procurement, supply chain systems integration and technical services.
In 1852, John Taylor arrived in Sacramento, Calif., to seek his fortune as a gold miner. Though his dreams of finding a fortune in the California mines didn’t pan out, he discovered a more profitable venture — selling druggist and chemical glassware to serve mining, assay and laboratory markets. Since then, through many changes, the company now known as VWR has provided customers with quality products for scientific research.
During the company’s first years, Taylor gradually added to his product offerings and by 1856 had renamed the business the John Taylor Company. Taylor’s business continued to expand and more products were added as various industries thrived in California. By 1883, the first John Taylor Company catalog was produced, including 106 pages of apparatus and 11 pages of chemicals.
After a series of sales of the company, Seattle-based Van Waters & Rogers, Inc., bought what remained of Taylor’s business in the early 1950s. By 1965, Van Waters & Rogers, Inc., was operating 31 plants at 22 locations west of the Mississippi River, and was organized into five distinct businesses: Industrial Chemicals, Scientific Supplies and Apparatus, Laundry Supplies, Agricultural Supplies, and Upholstery Supply and Natural Fibers.
In a 1966 merger, distributor Van Waters & Rogers, Inc., and manufacturer United Pacific Corporation combined to become VWR United Corporation. Four years later, VWR United Corporation expanded into the eastern United States.
In February 1986, the company, then known as Univar Corporation, restructured into two companies: the existing Univar Corporation and the newly formed VWR Corporation. Univar Corporation continued to own and operate the industrial and pest control chemicals and textile maintenance products distribution businesses while VWR Corporation was spun off. It acquired all of the non-chemical distribution businesses, including the scientific and graphic arts equipment and supplies, textiles and furniture manufacturing supplies, electronic components and electromechanical devices. In 1989, VWR Corporation decided to concentrate solely on the scientific division’s laboratory supply and equipment sales, and sold off all its other divisions.
During the 1990s and 2000s, VWR Corporation went through several name changes and acquired different companies, though it never changed its commitment to providing critical products to the world's top pharmaceutical, biotech, industrial, educational and governmental organizations. In September 1995, the company changed its name to VWR Scientific Products Corporation, and then in December 2000, it became VWR International, Inc. The company arrived at its present name, VWR International, LLC in June 2007.
Today, VWR has more than 7,000 associates in more than 25 countries and our global footprint continues to expand. Our mission is to enable the advancement of science throughout the world. We do this by encouraging innovation, delivering what we promise, and striving for nothing less than process excellence. At VWR, we supply what is needed to bring science to life.
VWR enables the advancement of the world's most critical research through the distribution of a highly diversified product line to most of the world's top pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as industrial, educational and governmental organizations. With over 150 years of industry experience, VWR offers a well-established distribution network that reaches thousands of specialized labs and facilities spanning the globe.
VWR has over 7,000 associates around the world working to streamline the way researchers across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific stock and maintain their labs. In addition, VWR further supports its customers by providing onsite services, storeroom management, product procurement, supply chain systems integration and technical services.
History
VWR International, LLC* has weathered all types of storms – literally – from floods, fires and earthquakes to mergers, acquisitions and name changes. And in many ways, the early days of VWR and its predecessors closely resemble the present-day VWR – all our incarnations have incorporated a series of entrepreneurial talents and organizations over the years. Here is a brief look back at the people and events that shaped our rich history.In 1852, John Taylor arrived in Sacramento, Calif., to seek his fortune as a gold miner. Though his dreams of finding a fortune in the California mines didn’t pan out, he discovered a more profitable venture — selling druggist and chemical glassware to serve mining, assay and laboratory markets. Since then, through many changes, the company now known as VWR has provided customers with quality products for scientific research.
During the company’s first years, Taylor gradually added to his product offerings and by 1856 had renamed the business the John Taylor Company. Taylor’s business continued to expand and more products were added as various industries thrived in California. By 1883, the first John Taylor Company catalog was produced, including 106 pages of apparatus and 11 pages of chemicals.
After a series of sales of the company, Seattle-based Van Waters & Rogers, Inc., bought what remained of Taylor’s business in the early 1950s. By 1965, Van Waters & Rogers, Inc., was operating 31 plants at 22 locations west of the Mississippi River, and was organized into five distinct businesses: Industrial Chemicals, Scientific Supplies and Apparatus, Laundry Supplies, Agricultural Supplies, and Upholstery Supply and Natural Fibers.
In a 1966 merger, distributor Van Waters & Rogers, Inc., and manufacturer United Pacific Corporation combined to become VWR United Corporation. Four years later, VWR United Corporation expanded into the eastern United States.
In February 1986, the company, then known as Univar Corporation, restructured into two companies: the existing Univar Corporation and the newly formed VWR Corporation. Univar Corporation continued to own and operate the industrial and pest control chemicals and textile maintenance products distribution businesses while VWR Corporation was spun off. It acquired all of the non-chemical distribution businesses, including the scientific and graphic arts equipment and supplies, textiles and furniture manufacturing supplies, electronic components and electromechanical devices. In 1989, VWR Corporation decided to concentrate solely on the scientific division’s laboratory supply and equipment sales, and sold off all its other divisions.
During the 1990s and 2000s, VWR Corporation went through several name changes and acquired different companies, though it never changed its commitment to providing critical products to the world's top pharmaceutical, biotech, industrial, educational and governmental organizations. In September 1995, the company changed its name to VWR Scientific Products Corporation, and then in December 2000, it became VWR International, Inc. The company arrived at its present name, VWR International, LLC in June 2007.
Today, VWR has more than 7,000 associates in more than 25 countries and our global footprint continues to expand. Our mission is to enable the advancement of science throughout the world. We do this by encouraging innovation, delivering what we promise, and striving for nothing less than process excellence. At VWR, we supply what is needed to bring science to life.
- VWR International, LLC is the holding company for all VWR operating entities throughout the world.