Global distributor has been meeting the needs of scientific community for a century and a half
In 1852, John Taylor arrived in Sacramento in pursuit of gold. Taylor soon discovered a more profitable venture: he founded a druggist and chemical glassware company to serve California's mining, assay and laboratory markets.
Since then the company has progressed from a one-man operation to more than 6000 associates in 2002; from one state in the US to 18 countries around the world today.
And, while it isn't known what John Taylor's revenues were 150 years ago, VWR International - the current organisation that grew out of the John Taylor firm - is now a $2.5 billion enterprise supplying the global research laboratory marketplace.
The recent growth of VWR has been fuelled by a series of over 35 science supply company acquisitions completed over the course of ten years.
In 1993, VWR established a business relationship with Merck, Germany, which later became a major investor and shareholder in VWR.
In 1999, Merck acquired the remaining shares of the company, becoming the sole owner and parent company of VWR International.
On 25 October 2002, VWR International celebrated its 150th year in business.
To mark this milestone, it held simultaneous anniversary parties for its 6000 employees at each of the company's locations throughout North America and Europe.
"Our worldwide 150th celebration party signals the global impact VWR has achieved since its humble beginnings in California," says Walter Zywottek, VWR chairman and CEO.
"Yet, the fact that we are holding events at each of our sites demonstrates we have not lost sight of John Taylor's emphasis on the local and personal aspects of our business.
This is what really makes us a success as a scientific products distributor with our customers.
And the customer is the real reason we are here today to celebrate this special anniversary.
"We have become the organisation we are now because of the loyalty of our customers and the support of the product manufacturers we represent," Zywottek continues. "We have in many ways grown with our customers to the point today where we can meet the needs of the smallest and largest clients with global resources and personal service.
Our thanks goes out to all those who helped us achieve this goal, and will continue to help us meet future challenges."
