Our History | KMG Chemicals, Inc.

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A History of Consolidation and Growth

KMG’s history dates back to 1985, when the company’s original Penta distribution business was acquired. Since that time, KMG has pursued a methodical strategy to consolidate certain niche segments of the industrial wood treating chemicals market. Our focus markets in Wood Treating Chemicals currently are Pentachlorophenol (“Penta”) and coal tar-based creosote.

Following the consolidation of the Penta and creosote wood treating chemicals markets, KMG turned its attention to an entirely new market – high-purity process chemicals (HPPC) for the electronics industry. In 2008, KMG acquired the HPPC business from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. This transformative acquisition established KMG as one of the leading suppliers of ultra-pure electronic chemicals in the U.S. and as an important supplier in Europe. In 2010, we further consolidated the HPPC market with the purchase of Electronic Chemicals assets from U.S.-based General Chemical.

As we near the end of our third decade of operations, KMG remains true to our original Corporate Strategy: We buy businesses in niche markets, entering when others are exiting. We enhance margins by bringing a focus to the products large companies often do not. We favor businesses with stable markets and strive to operate right-sized plants with the best-available technology.

We will continue to identify and evaluate companies and assets that can further enhance our existing businesses in Wood Treating Chemicals and Electronic Chemicals. At the same time, we continue to actively pursue a third strategic growth platform.

Explore KMG's history

Original Penta distribution business acquired
Built Penta manufacturing plant in Matamoros, Mexico
Acquired creosote distribution business from Bernuth-Lembke
Acquired sodium penta business from Rhone-Poulenc
KMG begins trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “KMGB”
Acquired significant creosote assets from Allied Signal
Acquired MSMA herbicide products from Zeneca Ag Products
Entered animal health business with acquisition of Rabon from Boehringer Ingelheim
Acquired the assets of Wood Protection Products, a key Penta distributor
Acquired the creosote distribution business and assets of Trenton Sales
Expanded animal health business by acquiring Ravap from Boehringer Ingelheim
1.2 million-share private equity placement
Acquired Penta manufacturing assets from Occidental Chemical
Acquired U.S.-based animal insecticide business of Boehringer Ingelheim
3.2 million-share public offering, including 1.7 million newly issued shares
Acquired High Purity Electronic Chemicals business from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Acquired General Chemical’s Electronic Chemicals business.
Completion of General Chemicals integration and consolidation
Sale of Animal Health business to Bayer Healthcare’s Animal Health Division
KMG transfers stock exchange listing to NYSE under the symbol “KMG”
Signed definitive agreement to purchase OM Group's Ultra Pure Chemicals business located in the UK, SIngapore and the US, and simultaneously offered to purchase OM Group's Ultra Pure Chemicals subsidiary in France.

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