The History of Hawkins

Founded in 1938, Hawkins has become a widely known and respected regional chemical distributor.

Hawkins serves thousands of businesses and municipalities throughout the Midwest. The company employs nearly 200 professional and operational staff, including experienced chemists and engineers, trained technicians and drivers, and customer support specialists.

A string of key decisions and service strategies have led Hawkins to continue to grow and innovate along with its customers. For example…


1938

1938 Right from the beginning, Hawkins stressed service. The company’s rapid growth has been attributed both to its development of strategic alliances with manufacturers and recognition of specific customer needs. In 1938, Hawkins distributed 12 products; today, the company provides businesses and communities with more than 1,000 products and dozens of services.

1955

In a defining move, the company expanded its range of services and products, functioning as a sales agent for bleach-maker Vel-Tex Chemical. It was a comfortable fit, and in 1971 Vel-Tex became a Hawkins wholly owned subsidiary. The Vel-Tex location is now referred to as Hawkins Terminal One and is located on the Mississippi River in St. Paul.

1972

Hawkins purchased the Lynde Company, a custom-formulator and distributor of swimming pool products. This touched off a number of strategic acquisitions, all of which have been integrated into an expanded Hawkins.

1976

Hawkins purchased Feed-Rite Controls, specializing in water treatment chemicals and equipment.

1979

Hawkins purchased operating divisions of Mon-Dak Chemical and Supply, Inc., located in Minot, N.D., and Billings, Mont.

1980

Increasing and adding flexibility to river terminal operations, Hawkins acquired the Gordon Terminal on the south side of the Mississippi River in St. Paul. Today this facility is known as Terminal Two and is focused on storage of caustic soda.

1981

Hawkins purchased Dakota Chemical, located at Aberdeen and Sioux Falls, S.D. Today, with their expansion into Black Hawk, S.D., Hawkins has greater flexibility in servicing their western customers.

1985

Likewise, Hawkins expanded its service to the mining, paper manufacturing and other Minnesota industries with the purchase of Arrowhead Chemical’s distribution facilities in Superior, Wis.

1993

To fully serve the metal-finishing industry, Hawkins acquired Industrial Chemical and Equipment.

1994

Hawkins expanded its operations into value-added formulation. The company developed and patented Cheese-Phos® and Citraflo®, liquid ingredients that make processed cheese creamier and make manufacturing simpler and safer.

1997

As with the food industry, Hawkins expanded internal capabilities and revamped facilities in order to serve the unique repackaging and distribution needs of the pharmaceutical industry. Accelerating the company’s positioning in the marketplace, in 2000 Hawkins purchased St. Mary Chemical, specialists in pharmacy compounding supply.

2001

Hawkins completed a state-of-the-art facility in St. Paul where it receives bulk products by barge, rail and truck. The new home for Hawkins’ water treatment product distribution, Hawkins Red Rock incorporates the best environmental protection, employee safety and operational strategies and equipment found in the industry. The facility also provides Mississippi River access while being above the historical flood plain—ensuring distribution of water treatment to communities and other customers at a time when they need it most.