K.A. Steel Chemicals Inc.

Type: Private
On the web: http://www.kasteelchemicals.com
Employees: 87

Organics are fine for your farmers markets and fancy grocery stores, but as for K.A. Steel Chemicals, it prefers inorganic products. The company distributes bulk inorganic commodity chemicals. It is the largest US distributor of caustic sodas (used in making soap, rayon, and paper, among other applications) and is a major producer and distributor of sodium hypochlorite (used to bleach pulp and in water purification). K.A. Steel also distributes hydrochloric acid (used to clean metals and as a chemical intermediate). The company has more than 20 plants and terminals in the US. Kenneth A. Steel Sr. founded K.A. Steel in 1953 and second-generation Steel family members Robert and Ken Jr. own the company.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending December, 2007:
Sales: $16.2M

Officers:
President: Robert (Bob) Steel
VP Finance and Secretary: Bernie Ludwig
EVP Operations and Administration: Brad Davidson

Competitors:
Ashland Distribution
Brenntag North America
Hawkins, Inc.