Our History
Our story is written in ink.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s ink.
When Joseph Maria ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ arrived in New York from Germany in 1883, he was greeted by an America that was bursting with industry and invention, including the rapid spread of newspapers, magazines and advertising. Just as railroads, telephones and steam engines had transformed daily life, so too would the emergence of mass media. It would push American popular culture across the globe.
Against this backdrop, Joseph Maria ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ launched his business with a single manufacturing plant. ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s dry colors were pigments used to produce inks. Over the years, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Corporation has evolved—entering new markets, serving new industries, expanding its global presence. Yet one thing has remained unchanged: the importance of family ownership.
Today, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is one of the largest privately held companies in the US. As the company enters its sixth generation of family ownership, it continues to carry on the legacy of Joseph Maria ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ by adhering to the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Principles, the foundation for the way the company conducts business everywhere it operates.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Highlights
The Early Years: 1883-1933
In 1883, Joseph Maria ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ arrives in America as a salesman to develop new markets for his family’s dry colors business. Although he did not set off on his own until some years later, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Corporation considers this to be its founding date, not only because its founder fell in love with America at first sight, but also because his early activities here made all future business possible. He opens his first dry color plant in Brooklyn, New York, in 1891.
Starting in the 1920s, Joseph begins transitioning control of his company to his sons, but remains active in its affairs until his death in 1933.
Foundations of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Advanced Materials, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Specialty Minerals and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Resources Corp: 1941-1981
Investment in timberlands begins in 1941 with the purchase of a tract of land in Maine. This marks the beginning of the Timber & Minerals business, the forerunner of today’s ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Resources Corp.
The foundations of today’s ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Advanced Materials and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Specialty Minerals businesses were also established during this period. A 1946 patent for silicates marks ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½’s entry into specialty chemicals. A key building block of today’s ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Specialty Minerals business is the Calcium Carbonate Company, purchased in 1973. In 1981, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ acquires Solem Industries, an alumina trihydrate (ATH) manufacturer, establishing the foundation for today’s ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Advanced Materials business.
Origins of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Engineered Woods and strengthening our culture: 1983-1990
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ celebrates its 100th anniversary in 1983. At the century mark, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ portfolio consists of: Printing Inks, Carbon Black, Oil & Gas, Timber & Minerals, Chemicals, Clay, Calcium Carbonate, Solem, East-Tex Plastics and Equipment.
In the same year, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ enters a new market by opening a plant in Easton, Maine, to produce oriented strand board (OSB) for the construction industry. This forms the foundation of today’s ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Engineered WoodsÌý(±á·¡°Â).
Mike ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ introduces the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Principles in 1987 to serve as a guidepost for the company’s core values. The initial foundation for our Principles came from Joseph Maria ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ (Mike’s grandfather). Although the Principles have evolved over time as ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ has become more diverse and international, our underlying four core values are essentially the same—and growing stronger 135 years later.
Transforming the Company: 1994-2009
For its first century of existence, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s activities remain largely centered on ink. In 1994, fourth-generation ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ family member Peter Francis becomes CEO and initiates a major restructuring initiative to focus the company on specialty products. During his tenure, the company divests some of its oldest businesses, including Ink and Clay.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ enters the carboxymethyl cellulose and hydrocolloids industries in 2001 by acquiring Noviant and then expands its influence in 2004 by acquiring CP Kelco, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s largest acquisition to date.
In 2008, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ sells the Clay Division to IMin Partners and retains shares in the newly named KaMin business.
A focus on specialty materials: 2010-2023
In response to the global financial crisis, CEO Michael Marberry accelerates ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½’s transition to being a specialty products company. As a result, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ exits the energy industry in 2011 and sells its timber properties to improve cash flow. ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Resources Corp. arranges long-term contracts to manage many of the properties for their new owners.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ continues to strengthen its portfolio through strategic acquisitions. The 2012 acquisition of Almatis’ Specialty Hydrates business and the 2016 acquisition of Martinswerk expand ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½’s leadership in specialty materials. In 2019, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ enters the agro solutions industry with the acquisition of Miller Chemical & Fertilizer, laying the foundation for today’s ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ AgroSolutions business.
We operate, we partner, we invest: 2024 and beyond
Launched in 2024 by CEO Gretchen McClain, Vision 150 is ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½’s roadmap for the next decade to accelerate the Company’s journey toward growing a thriving and connected family of sustainable solutions.
Aligned with Vision 150, , becoming a shareholder of approximately 16 percent and gaining two seats on its Board of Directors.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ also continued to evolve its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and investments. In 2024, the acquisitions of Natrium and Active Minerals, Inc. expanded ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Specialty Minerals, while the investment in the Sandy Gray Forest in Maine further strengthened ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½’s timberland portfolio. The momentum continued in 2025 with ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Advanced Materials’ acquisition of The R.J. Marshall Company’s alumina trihydrate (ATH), antimony-free flame retardant and molybdate-based smoke suppressant assets.
Today, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ operates ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Advanced Materials, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ AgroSolutions, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Specialty Minerals, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Engineered Woods and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Resources Corp., is a shareholder in Tate & Lyle and an investor in KaMin and timberlands in the U.S.