Ink World staff06.15.20
Van Horn, Metz (VHM), a specialty raw materials distributor, is celebrating 70 years of serving customers.
The VHM journey started with an office and warehouse in Philadelphia and it continues as one of the leading distributors in North America.
VHM’s mission is to deliver technology and high-quality products while providing superior service to our customers. The company recognizes and believes in its responsibility to the well-being of its staff and the general community.
Harold Van Horn and Donald Metz incorporated VHM in 1950. The two entrepreneurs formed a partnership together in 1948 and immediately hired Douglas Everett, a salesman, who later became president.
During World War II, Metz and Van Horn were formulating camouflage paint for the US government.
Metz, a Yale University chemical engineer and the Government’s chief chemist for coatings technology, and Van Horn, a highly trained technical pigment salesman, collaborated on several projects for the military.
From the beginning, the two partners enrolled on a mission to create solutions for customers in paints, coatings, plastics, adhesives, rubber/elastomers, inks, and other specialty markets.
The passion for innovation has been the company’s core focus since the early days, which allows Van Horn, Metz to quickly react to market changes and always respond to customers’ needs.
In 1960 VHM established a new headquarters in Conshohocken, PA with an adjoining warehouse, and shortly thereafter added a warehouse in Pittsburgh.
After Everett’s death, Jack Boorman – father of current executive VP – Brian Boorman became president.
Upon Jack’s retirement, Morgan Smith assumed the role of president.
During Smith's tenure, the company’s customer base was expanded from Maine to Florida and the midwest.
VHM acquired Seaboard Sales during this time. The territory expansion and acquisition were possible because of the effective, sustainable and reliable relationships Van Horn, Metz developed with customers and principals.
Barrett “Barry” Fisher became VHM’s fifth president in 2010 and led the acquisition of the Thornley, Impact and Horizon Companies. The Thornley acquisition expanded VHM into additional industrial markets and provided a new portfolio of products for personal care and color cosmetic applications.
In 2016, VHM expanded to Canada, adding a Toronto office. Van Horn, Metz effectively sources global raw materials for customer needs and provides local warehouse capabilities across 12 facilities.