LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE AT

The Shepherd Chemical Company

through our personal commitment to customers, employees and the community.

100+ Years of Dedication

Our history is characterized by a commitment to long term relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and the communities where we work.

Shepherd has been developing, manufacturing and selling specialty metal based chemicals for over 100 years. Our history is characterized by a commitment to long term relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and the communities where we work. We are engaged in the perpetual pursuit of new customers with whom we can create value and new applications for our capabilities.

1916

Establishing Roots

Lee Shepherd founded The Shepherd Chemical Co. Original products were metal soaps used as printing ink and paint driers.

1920’s

The Early Years

Operations moved to Norwood, OH, our global headquarters for manufacturing.

1930’s

Showing Our True Colors

Nickel and Cobalt salts developed for plating and animal feed.
2nd generation John F. Shepherd joined and focused on coloring oxides for porcelain enamel.

1940’s

Growing Together

Shepherd’s capacity and capabilities increased steadily largely as a result of collaborations between Shepherd’s chemists and engineers and our customers’ technical teams. Shepherd became a reliable supplier of high purity catalysts, precursors, and intermediates and the foundation for our custom co-development capabilities was put in place.

1950’s

A New Twist

3rd generation John M. Shepherd joined, focusing sales efforts on chemical industry partnerships and the collaborative culture we enjoy today.

1960’s

Mid Century Modernization

  • Entered the catalyst industry offering Cobalt, Nickel & other metal salts.
  • Launched Custom Co-Development.
  • Directed pigment sales toward high durability architectural coatings.

1970’s

Enjoying the Ride

Introduction of cobalt carboxylate RAPs for radial tires.

1980’s

Coloring our World

4th generation Tom Shepherd joined and now serves as CEO.
Shepherd Color was charted as separate company based in West Chester, OH.

1990’s

Crossing the Deep

Purchased Shepherd Mirecourt, France, expanding operations into Europe.
Entered the air bag industry with basic copper nitrate (BCN) gas generants.

2000’s

Asian Expansion

Opened sales offices in Tokyo and Shanghai as RAPs and BCN expanded into Asia.

2010’s

Innovation Award

Shepherd Shanghai Trading (SST) founded in China.
Awarded the CPI Polyurethane Innovation Award for patented BiCAT 8840.

2020’s

The Future is Bright!

Established China manufacturing partnership with Red Avenue. Amplified manufacturing capacity and R&D capabilities with new reactors and pilot facilities in the US and Europe.
5th generation Amanda & Matthew Shepherd joined the company.