- VWR International
VWR International is a global leader in the distribution of research
laboratory products, with over 1,200,000 items to more than 250,000 customers in North America and Europe. The U.S. division is headquartered inWest Chester, Pennsylvania . VWR ranked #91 in 2006, and #77 in 2005, in "Forbes " list of largest American private companies. [cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/21/biz_06privates_VWR-International_ZMAQ.html|publisher=Forbes |accessdate=November 30|accessyear=2006|title=The Largest Private Companies|date=November 9 ,2006 ] Suppliers includeApplied Scientific , Carl Zeiss,Duracell ,Kimberly-Clark ,Bel-Art Products , andWelch Allyn . [cite web|publisher=Hoover's |url=http://www.hoovers.com/free/co/factsheet.xhtml?COID=120668&cm_ven=PAID&cm_cat=BUS&cm_pla=CO1&cm_ite=VWR_International|title=VWR International information|accessdate=November 30|accessyear=2006|author=Walker, T] VWR primarily serves thegovernment ,biotechnology ,life science ,education ,electronics andpharmaceutical sectors.History
VWR began business as a distributor of
mining equipment inNorthern California in the1850 s. The organization was once part of Van Waters and Rogers, which is where the name VWR came from. Through the modern era, the company evolved to focus on the laboratory market. It also has a presence in the cleanroom, safety, and clinical markets.In September, 1995, VWR completed their purchases of Baxter's Industrial division, creating a much larger company. The capital was primarily obtained from
Merck KGaA , a German chemical manufacturer who later purchased VWR and merged them with Merck Eurolab, creating a global laboratory distributor. In 2004, VWR became alimited partnership controlled by investment firmClayton, Dubilier & Rice .In 2007, CD&R sold VWR to another private equity company,
Madison Dearborn Partners .References
External links
* [http://www.vwr.com/index.htm VWR International official website]
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