Servicing the rubber, thermoplastics and other polymer-related industries for more than 75 years, Harwick Standard is a management-owned and operated sales, marketing and technical support organization headquartered in Akron, Ohio.

Harwick Standard is ISO 9001:2008 registered, and operates a nationwide distribution network supplying products from more than 30 blue chip manufacturers. Harwick Standard is a proud member of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) and practices the NACD's Responsible Distribution Process.

Company History

In 1932, in Akron, Ohio, Curtis J. Harwick founded Standard Chemical, a company specializing in the distribution of rubber compounding materials. He built relationships and agreements with key manufacturers supplying the industry, a successful strategy for the company throughout its history. In 1937, Mr. Harwick expanded the business opening Republic Dye and Chemical, a chemical manufacturing facility later known as Republic Chemical.

During the 1940’s, the company began to expand across the United States, establishing a sales presence from coast to coast. Today, it serves all of North America and exports to other regions as well.

As the business continued to grow, it was renamed Harwick Standard Chemical Company in 1946. Following the death of Curtis Harwick in 1948, his wife, Virginia, took the reigns. A year later, Harwick Standard moved to its current location at 60 South Seiberling Street in Akron.

In 1968, Harwick Standard Chemical was purchased by Chemetron Corporation, becoming a subsidiary named Harwick Inc. Three years later, a group of fifteen corporate officers purchased the assets from Chemetron and Harwick Chemical Corporation was born. Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, Harwick continued to expand its product line portfolio, establishing additional principal relationships and purchasing manufacturing businesses.

Harwick’s manufacturing business was acquired by M.A. Hanna (later known as PolyOne) in 1997, and the company returned to its distribution roots as Harwick Standard Distribution Corporation.