Univar Solutions Inc.(formerly Royal Vopak) is a global chemical and ingredients distributor and provider of value-added services.

On August 8, 1924, George Van Waters and Nat Rogers opened a small firm in Seattle, Washington, USA, buying and selling naval supplies, paint, raw materials and cotton linters.

[citation needed] Acquisitions led to market entries in San Francisco and Texas and the first two women were appointed to officer positions.

In 1966, Van Waters & Rogers became VWR United and the decade ended with the company's listing on the New York Stock Exchange on March 6, 1969.

At the March 25, 1970 board meeting, co-founder Nat Rogers retired from the company and later that same year, Jim Wiborg became CEO.

[citation needed] Responding to new government regulations and environmental concerns, the company focused on product stewardship and introduced ChemCare, a waste management service.

Univar acquired McKesson Chemical with financial backing from Royal Pakhoed and, combined, the two distribution giants formed a coast-to-coast network of more than 100 locations in the United States and Canada.

Univar hired specialists, scientists and PhDs to assist customers with product formulations and technical solutions.

In 2007, Univar purchased a leading competitor, CHEMCENTRAL and became a privately held company, owned primarily by funds managed or advised by London-based CVC Capital Partners.

[4] In 2010, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC acquired a 42.5% ownership interest in Univar and the company continued to grow.