Brainerd Chemical’s CARE Program Strengthens Communities

Brief: Brainerd Chemical Company’s CARE Program—Community, Awareness, Respect, and Engagement—turns corporate responsibility into measurable community impact. Across all our facilities, Brainerd employees actively support education, safety, and well-being through partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and first responders. From sponsoring STEM scholarships and serving meals with the City Lights Foundation to hosting emergency-preparedness tours and supplying thousands of students with school essentials, CARE reflects Brainerd’s deep commitment to the people and communities.

Building a Culture of Community, Awareness, Respect, and Engagement

At Brainerd Chemical Company, giving back isn’t an afterthought — it’s a guiding principle. Through our CARE Program — Community, Awareness, Respect, and Engagement — Brainerd employees across all six U.S. locations dedicate time, talent, and resources to support the people and places that make our work possible.

From classroom visits to first-responder preparedness tours, the CARE Program demonstrates how a values-driven company can make measurable, human-centered impact — locally and nationally.

Strengthening the Places We Call Home

United Way Tulsa-Area Volunteer Event
In partnership with the Tulsa Area United Way, Brainerd employees recently joined dozens of community volunteers to sort supplies, assemble resource kits, and support local nonprofits. The event reflected Brainerd’s belief that lasting success begins with helping people thrive where they live and work.

Back-to-School Resource Fair Support
Brainerd also contributed thousands of school supplies — scissors, erasers, and activity sheets — to the 8th Annual Back-to-School Resource Fair in Tulsa, ensuring more than 2,000 students started the year with the tools they need to learn and succeed.

Family & Community Festivals
At events like Tulsa Tough, Brainerd turns corporate sponsorship into family fun — hosting games, inflatables, and community activities that connect employees, neighbors, and families in celebration of local pride.

Awareness: Investing in Education and the Next Generation

Seaford Central Elementary Visit
At Brainerd’s Seaford, Delaware facility, team members visited Seaford Central Elementary School to engage with students and teachers — sharing encouragement, delivering classroom resources, and fostering early curiosity in science and technology.

STEM Scholarships Through FOSSI
Brainerd also supports the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) — an American Chemistry Council partnership that provides scholarships and mentoring to underrepresented students pursuing STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Events like Swings for STEM help fund those programs and open pathways into chemical industry careers.

Respect: Serving with Compassion and Integrity

Volunteer Work with City Lights Foundation
In Tulsa, Brainerd employees joined City Lights Foundation in serving meals and providing direct assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness. The effort reinforced Brainerd’s respect for every individual’s dignity — and the belief that businesses can be agents of compassion.

Inclusive Sports & Community Events
Brainerd volunteers also supported Special Olympics Oklahoma by officiating cornhole challenges and cheering on athletes. Through this involvement, employees demonstrated how simple acts of presence and encouragement can create lasting connections.

Engagement: Empowering Preparedness and Safety

First-Responder Safety & Preparedness Tours
Each year, Brainerd opens its facilities to local fire, EMS, and law-enforcement agencies for site walkthroughs and safety briefings. The goal: to ensure responders are familiar with site layouts, equipment, and materials before an emergency ever occurs.

At the Tuttle, Oklahoma plant, these tours have become an annual tradition that strengthens trust between Brainerd and its surrounding community. It’s a model being replicated across all Brainerd sites.

Why CARE Matters

For Brainerd Chemical, CARE isn’t just a program — it’s part of the company’s DNA. Each initiative connects directly to core business values:

  • Safety and Stewardship — embodied through first-responder outreach and community education.
  • Empowerment and Education — shown through STEM partnerships and school engagement.
  • Compassion and Collaboration — reflected in volunteerism and human-service partnerships.
  • Transparency and Trust — built through open communication and consistent presence in local communities.

Brainerd’s CARE Program turns corporate citizenship into meaningful action — demonstrating that the same precision and accountability driving chemical excellence can also drive positive community change.

Join the CARE Movement

Brainerd Chemical invites community partners, educators, first responders, and nonprofits to join the CARE mission. Together, we can create safer, stronger, and more connected communities — one act of care at a time.

👉 Learn more or partner with us: brainerdchemical.com

About Brainerd Chemical Company
Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the nation’s leading chemical manufacturers and distributors, supporting industries from energy and agriculture to water treatment and manufacturing. We combine proven expertise with innovative packaging, logistics, and service solutions to help our partners achieve efficiency, safety, and long-term success.

Highlights from ChemEdge 2025

Louisville, KY – August 18, 2025 — Last week, leaders from across the chemical distribution industry gathered for ChemEdge 2025, one of the year’s most anticipated events hosted by the Alliancefor Chemical Distribution (ACD). The energy was high, the conversations meaningful, and the outlook for the future of our industry brighter than ever.

Brainerd Chemical Company was proud to participate once again as a Platinum Sustaining Sponsor, reaffirming our commitment to supporting the growth, innovation, and safety of the chemical distribution community.

Why ChemEdge Matters

ChemEdge is more than just a conference—it’s a hub where chemical industry professionals come together to:

  • Share knowledge on best practices, regulatory updates, and emerging technologies.
  • Build connections that strengthen our industry network and foster long-term partnerships.
  • Prepare for the future by tackling challenges head-on and identifying opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and growth.

For Brainerd Chemical, these pillars align directly with our mission: to safely supply our customers with the solutions they need, the expertise they want, and the reliability they depend on.

Our Takeaways from Louisville

This year’s ChemEdge offered more than just great sessions and conversations—it highlighted where the industry is headed. Key themes included:

  • Safety as the standard, not the exception. From new regulatory frameworks to practical on-site strategies, safety remains at the core of our industry.
  • Sustainability in action. Companies are finding innovative ways to lower environmental impact while improving efficiency.
  • The power of partnerships. The future of chemical distribution depends on collaboration across the supply chain, from producers to distributors to end-users.

Looking Ahead

We are energized by the insights, connections, and opportunities that came out of ChemEdge 2025. Events like this remind us why our work matters—not just for our company, but for the people, communities, and industries we serve.

As a platinum sponsor, we were honored to support ACD’s mission of advancing a safe, sustainable, and successful chemical distribution industry.

Here’s to another successful ChemEdge—and to building a stronger future, together.

About Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is a leading U.S. manufacturer and distributor of specialty and commodity chemicals, serving critical industries including energy, agriculture, water treatment, and manufacturing. Our mission is to safely supply the solutions our customers need, the expertise they want, and the reliability they depend on—every single day.

👉 Did you attend ChemEdge 2025? We’d love to hear your biggest takeaway. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Brainerd Chemical Making a Difference with Iron Gate

Tulsa, OK, USA // Nov 2, 2024 — The Brainerd Cares team rolled up their sleeves at Iron Gate Tulsa helping to spruce up the landscaping around their facility at 501 W Archer St, Tulsa.

Our team felt so rewarded by their experience volunteering their time to at Iron Gate. Thank you Iron Gate Tulsa and congratulations on the upcoming 5th anniversary of your new facility. You make an incredible difference in our community bringing people together to nourish hungry Tulsan’s and our team is excited to play a role in the impact you make over the years ahead.

Sarah Alfred, Development Chair at Iron Gate remarked, “Thank you SO MUCH for the hard work and beautification of our building! I enjoyed meeting and working alongside these great folks.”

ABOUT IRON GATE

As Tulsa’s largest stand-alone soup kitchen and grocery pantry, Iron Gate’s mission is simple: feed the hungry of Tulsa every day. People are fed in three ways, through our soup kitchen, grocery pantry and a Kids Pantry. Those who eat at Iron Gate are referred to “guests” because they are invited to eat. The organizations’ philosophy is that we are all guests on this earth and guests treat one another with courtesy, kindness and respect.

About Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent suppliers of chemicals and related services in the continental United States. They specialize in manufacturing, blending, packaging, and distributing chemical products across a diverse range of industrial sectors.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company.

Brainerd Champions More Responsible Global Chemical Distribution

Hague, Netherlands // August 26, 2024 // Momentum is gaining as the International Chemical Trade Association (ICTA) plans to launch a Global Responsible Distribution program by the end of 2024 enhancing safety across worldwide chemical supply chains.

The ITCA Global Responsible Distribution program draws inspiration from the ACD Responsible Distribution program developed in the United States by the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD).  The ICTA’s intention is to provide a responsible distribution program in countries where no such industry organization exists. The global program is built on 10 guiding principles and requirements for site sampling and mandatory third-party verification.

Mat Brainerd, President of the ICTA and Chairman of Brainerd Chemical Company, champions positive change from within the chemical industry and was proud to explain, “I’m very proud of the companies that have gotten behind this. It takes a lot of support, both from a financial and human resource perspective, to stand up a robust Responsible Distribution program in all corners of the world. This is a big deal and one that no one else has ever tried before. People need to know it is not chatter anymore; we’re finally doing it.”

Key Elements of Global Responsible Distribution

  • Developed by, and designed especially for, the chemical distribution industry.
  • Mandatory third-party verification.
  • Includes third-party warehouses.
  • Risk-based approach to limit sites to be verified. Incorporates safety, security, and health (SSH) as well as environment, social, and governance (ESG).
  • Differentiates between gold, silver, and bronze.
  • Globally harmonized.
  • No commercial set-up (lower fees, security of data).

The ITCA’s Responsible Distribution program has the potential to drive the chemical industry toward a unified commitment to continuous improvement, setting the highest standards for supply chain safety and promoting sustainable practices worldwide. Through this initiative, supply chain partners across the globe can align their efforts to achieve a safer, more sustainable future for the industry.

About Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent suppliers of chemicals and related services in the continental United States. They specialize in manufacturing, blending, packaging, and distributing chemical products across a diverse range of industrial sectors.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company, International Chemical Trade Association (ICTA), the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD).

Brainerd Cares Program in Action

Tulsa, OK // August 16, 2024 // Brainerd Chemical Company is proud to celebrate our team supporting the 8th Annual Back to School Community Resource Fair, organized by the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations (COHO). This event was a resounding success, bringing together families and students from across the Tulsa area to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Brainerd Chemical Company contributed by providing over 2,000 pairs of scissors, activity sheets, and erasers. These essential supplies were distributed to students, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed in their educational journey.

“We are thrilled to support our community and help students start the school year on the right foot,” said Susan Lack, Brainerd Cares program manager at Brainerd Chemical Company. “Education is a cornerstone of our community’s future, and we are committed to making a positive impact through initiatives like the Back to School Resource Fair.”

The event, hosted by COHO, featured a variety of resources and activities designed to equip students and families with the necessary supplies and information for a successful school year. Attendees had access to free school supplies, health screenings, and valuable information from local organizations.

Brainerd Chemical Company is dedicated to fostering community engagement and supporting educational initiatives. By participating in events like the Back to School Resource Fair, the company aims to contribute to the well-being and success of the community it serves.

About Brained Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is a leading provider of chemical products and services, committed to innovation, quality, and community engagement. With a strong focus on sustainability and customer satisfaction, Brainerd Chemical Company strives to make a positive impact in the industries it serves and the communities it operates in.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Supports Oklahoma Special Olympics

Poteau, OK // March 31, 2024 // Brainerd Chemical Company was delighted to be a part of the Oklahoma Special Olympics events held on March 29th and April 1st, 2024. Demonstrating their commitment to community engagement and support for inclusive sports, the Brainerd team had a lot of fun refereeing the cornhole challenge and helping athletes and attendees stay refreshed and energized with snacks and drinks throughout the day.

“We are incredibly proud of our team for their dedication and enthusiasm in supporting the Oklahoma Special Olympics,” said Mat Brainerd, Chairman of Brainerd Chemical Company. “Our employees had a fantastic time interacting with the athletes and contributing to such a meaningful cause. It’s an honor to be part of an event that celebrates the abilities and achievements of these remarkable individuals.”

The Oklahoma Special Olympics events brought together athletes from across the state to compete in various sports and activities, fostering a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Brainerd Chemical Company’s involvement underscores its commitment to promoting inclusivity and supporting community initiatives that make a positive impact.

About Brained Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is a leading provider of chemical products and services, committed to innovation, quality, and community engagement. With a strong focus on sustainability and customer satisfaction, Brainerd Chemical Company strives to make a positive impact in the industries it serves and the communities it operates in.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company

Supporting STEM Learning

Lansdowne, VA // June 24, 2024 — Brainerd Chemical Company is thrilled to champion STEM education as a proud sponsor of the first-ever Swings for STEM golf tournament. Today’s event hosted by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD supports of the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI).

Lucinda Shofer, Chief Operating Officer of the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) commented, “Special thanks from the ACD team to our members, Brainerd Chemical Co., Inc., Brenntag and Catalynt™ (formerly TRInternational) for supporting this event. Your generosity will fund several scholarships for Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) scholars. Looking forward to next year!”

Brian Miller, President of Brainerd Chemical, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Supporting students in their pursuit of STEM education is a cause close to our hearts. These future innovators will drive us towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking world. We’re eager to see the remarkable contributions they will make.”

The tournament saw nearly 100 participants, including professionals from the chemical industry, affiliated associations, Congressional staff, and representatives from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). The event was a hub for meaningful discussions about the importance of STEM and its critical role in the future of the chemical industry and our nation. Eric R. Byer, President & CEO of ACD, remarked, “This week’s event represents an important step in investing in the future of our workforce so that we can continue to demonstrate the value of our industry among students nationwide.”

In today’s competitive global economy, fostering growth and creating opportunities for diverse, young talent is more crucial than ever. FOSSI is dedicated to bridging the STEM workforce gap in the chemical industry by supporting scholars who would otherwise not have access to a STEM education by eliminating financial barriers. Thanks to the generous support Brainerd Chemical Company and over 20 sponsoring organizations, the event successfully raised $75,000 for this powerfully impactful scholarship initiative.

About the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI)

Launched in 2020 by the American Chemistry Council, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), The Chemours Company, and the HBCU Week Foundation, FOSSI is a national initiative that offers scholarships to students pursuing degrees in STEM at HBCUs. With funding from over 70 chemical industry stakeholders, the program has supported more than 600 scholars through 2025 with scholarship recipients representing 30+ states, with students attending 42 HBCUs.

Since its inception, thousands of high school students across the nation have applied for FOSSI scholarships, demonstrating both the urgent need for this program and the enormous pool of untapped talent.

FOSSI will welcome 150 new scholars in the fall of 2025 providing program recipients with a four year scholarship as well as leadership development, mentoring, and internship opportunities. For more information, visit futureofstemscholars.org

About Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent suppliers of chemicals and related services in the continental United States. They specialize in manufacturing, blending, packaging, and distributing chemical products across a diverse range of industrial sectors.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company, The American Chemistry Council, The Alliance for Chemical Distributors and the Future of Stem Scholars Initiative (FOSSI).

Safety First

Tuttle, OK // June 12, 2024 // Brainerd Chemical Company proactively works to ensure swift emergency response and containment by engaging with local area first responders and emergency management planners to develop relationships, improve communication and amplify first responder facility layout knowledge.

Brainerd Chemicals’ Tuttle facility supplies energy producers and the food safety industry with the chemical products and guidance they need for more efficient, effective, and environmentally responsible operations.

Every Brainerd employee is expected to promote a culture of safety by continuously striving for the safest way forward. And every employee is empowered to stop, review, and improve any process they feel can be made safer. It’s an approach that helps our team foster a positive, healthier environment for our staff, customers, and the communities we live and work in.

Brainerd Chemical strives for open, transparent, and frequent communication with the local, state, and federal organizations taking a proactive approach to responsible operations. “Safety is at the forefront of everything we do,” says Garrett Woodson, Operations/Logistics Manager.

Garrett and his team regularly host a two-hour facility tour and lunch meetings with local emergency management teams. The process helps build invaluable relationships, accelerate communication, and provide first responders with the critical on-site familiarization they need to expedite response times, reduce human risks and help minimize potential environmental damage in the event of an emergency.

Jessica Lane, reporter for the Chickahsa Express-Star learned a lot when she joined the Grady County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for a facility tour. All operations are shut down during the tour, ensuring a safe and comprehensive learning opportunity.

Lane noted that Brainerd Chemical Company has a unique “constant visual” of safe operations. Safety features are engineered into every square foot in the facility such as the sloped floors nearly everywhere the LEPC group walked. Woodson explained that keeping all chemicals off the ground is a priority. Although barely perceptible if not pointed out, sloped floors direct any spilled material towards a retention area where they can be safely remediated.

Overhead, the Brainerd facility has specialized, explosion-proof lighting, as well as highly sensitive sensors able to detect chemical leaks and prevent potential emergencies before they happen. Should a situation occur, a fire suppression system is in place able to provide 21 minutes of continuous flow to quickly knock-down flames.

Integrated physical safety systems are only as effective as the people and culture behind them. At Brainerd, every employee is expected to focus on safety and improve any process in pursuit of a healthier environment for staff, customers, and the neighboring communities.

About Brainerd Chemical Company:

Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent suppliers of chemicals and related services in the continental United States, manufacturing, blending, packaging and distributing chemical products to a wide variety of industrial sectors.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE:

Brainerd Chemical Company, Chickasha Express News, Grady County LEPC & City of Tuttle Fire Department

Brainerd Brings Family Festival to Tulsa Tough

Tulsa, OK // June 8, 2024 // In partnership with Tulsa Tough, Brainerd Chemical Company presents the first-ever Brainerd Family Festival on Guthrie Green during the FC Tulsa Arts District Criterium bicycle race.

Free and open to everyone, the Brainerd Family Festival on Guthrie Green provides the best seat in the house where families can cool off in the shade while watching the crit race excitement. It’s an extension of how Brainerd puts CARE into action every day through our philanthropic involvement in the communities where we work and live. This event provides a variety of amusements for the whole family to enjoy including face painting, inflatables, yard games, the Saint Francis Bear Clinic, and much more. And, the first 300 Saint Franics Tulsa Tough Kids Race participants receive a free t-shirt.

One of Tulsa’s most beloved traditions, Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, is a unique three-day cycling festival experience for racers, riders, and spectators, all centered in beautiful downtown Tulsa and along the banks of the Arkansas River. The event attracts professional cyclists and cycling enthusiasts from around the world. It’s an amazing event that showcases a wide variety of cycling races, rides and events, encouraging people to have fun and stay active while raising funds for worthy Tulsa causes through the Tulsa Community Foundation.

About Brainerd Chemical Company:

Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent suppliers of chemicals and related services in the continental United States, manufacturing, blending, packaging and distributing chemical products to a wide variety of industrial sectors.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE: Saint Francis Tulsa Tough and Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Named a 2022 Top Workplace

Tulsa, OK Nov. 21, 2022 // Brainerd Chemical Company, an industry leading chemical manufacturer and hybrid distributor is honored to be recognized as a Top Workplace for the fourth year in a row.

Brainerd Chemical was recognized with the Oklahoma regional award as a top employer within the mid-sized company category (35 to 149 employees) by The Oklahoman, a leading regional media company.

“Being named a Top Workplace for four consecutive years is an incredible achievement that underscores our workforce’s commitment to stewardship.”

– Neil Morgan, COO Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical is proud to represent the chemical manufacturing & distribution industry alongside the diverse range of companies.  We value employee engagement, its impact on performance and how employee feedback provides critical business intelligence that helps our leadership continuously improve health, safety, security, and environmental procedures in every phase of chemical manufacturing, production, service, storage, handling, transportation and disposal.

Award Criteria

The Top Workplace selections were made based on feedback from participating companies’ employees. In the Spring of 2022, Brainerd Chemical staff members were offered an opportunity to complete an anonymous employee engagement survey which polled for feedback on various topics related to job satisfaction and company culture. Response was overwhelming with Brainerd employees completing well beyond the minimum rate of 35% participation to be considered for the Top Workplace award. The results were then compared to other participating companies and ranked accordingly, with the highest-scoring companies receiving Top Workplace designations.

About Brainerd Chemical Company:

Brainerd Chemical specializes in high hazard chemistries and their transportation. More than toll blenders, Brainerd creates, builds and manages specialized manufactured chemistries.

As a hybrid distributor, we’re transforming the industry, supporting clients with faster, safer and more efficient delivery. Our robust rail terminals and bulk storage warehouses are strategically positioned across the U.S. for domestic and international delivery.

For over 64 years, Brainerd has dared to do the challenging work that builds a more sustainable chemical industry.

Media Inquiries

1.918.622.1214

Brainerd Chemical Company

SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company