BRAINERD'S HISTORY

Harold “Hal” W. Brainerd, Jr. founded Brainerd Chemical Company.

In the early years, the building block of the company was Hal Brainerd and his technical knowledge.

Purchased Ward Chemical and added reagent and laboratory products.

The company sold compounded laundry detergents, developed by Hal Brainerd, to the institutional trade.

Hal moved operations between rented warehouses in the Tulsa industrial area.

Hal built his own building at 42nd & Sheridan, which included a retail storefront, office space, and a warehouse.

Brainerd supplied refrigerant to North American Rockwell for the Apollo 11 spacecraft.

As Hal neared retirement age he turned to his youngest son, 20-year-old Mat, to lead the company.

As with many companies, Brainerd had its ups and downs.  Mat’s drive for growth and diversification pushed the company forward.  Brainerd added products such as fluorinated hydrocarbons and served as a wholesale pharmacy to 500 pharmacies nationwide.

Hal and his wife, Scotty, officially retired and moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Brainerd purchased the original Waite Phillips Oil company location on North Peoria in Tulsa. A $1 million renovation began while maintaining several of the original brick buildings.  The company expanded its product lines by shipping bulk corrosives and flammables.

Mat traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit with legislators on behalf of the chemical industry.  A supporter of the industry, Brainerd Chemical has been a member of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) since 2005 and supports their vision of Responsible Distribution, advocating for sound government policies and promoting continuous…

To better meet the needs of a significant customer, an east coast operation was necessary.  Brainerd opens Dunn, North Carolina facility.

With a continued focus on growth and a desire to expand the company’s footprint, Brainerd Tuttle, Oklahoma facility opened.  This facility allowed further reach into Oklahoma’s oil and gas markets.

Brainerd attained its first FCN for Peracetic Acid and was Brainerd’s next step into the Food Safety Chemical space.

After serving in various roles within the NACD, Mat served as Chairman and embraced his role as an educator—advocating for issues and policies to improve the chemical industry.

Brainerd Transportation was formed allowing for city and route deliveries from box trucks to bulk tankers.

Brainerd’s corporate office moved to the historic Philtower in downtown Tulsa.  With three plant locations and a growing company, more space was required to hold the staff needed to provide the necessary support of operations.  The Philtower was built by Waite Phillips in the early 1920s.

Current version of the Brainerd logo was designed.

Mat was recognized as NACD Distributor of the Year.

Brainerd acquired its Danville, Illinois facility.

Brainerd celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Brainerd continues to promote the field of chemistry through the tireless efforts of its employees, haloed by chemical stewardship and core values.