Congressman Gerlach Visits NACD Member Brenntag

READING, Pa., Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Brenntag North America's Brenntag Northeast facility was honored with a visit from U.S. Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-PA). Brenntag North America is a member in good standing of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD).

Brenntag representatives welcomed the Congressman and provided him the opportunity to meet and speak with employees in a Town Hall meeting format after touring their Reading, Pennsylvania facility. The Congressman was able to see first-hand the chemical distribution industry's important role in the Pennsylvania and national economies. He also learned more about NACD's Responsible Distribution program which Brenntag and all members of the Association adhere to each year. Responsible Distribution is an environmental, health, safety and stewardship program for the chemical distribution industry.

"It is great to see our representatives in Congress taking a strong interest in the businesses that are part of their constituencies," said NACD President Chris Jahn. "I certainly appreciate Congressman Gerlach's interest in learning more about the issues that face the chemical distribution industry, by visiting with an NACD member company in his area."

During the visit, Congressman Gerlach acknowledged the safety measures being undertaken by NACD and the chemical distribution industry. "I appreciated the opportunity to meet with the talented leaders and employees at Brenntag Northeast and learn more about the chemical-supply chain distribution work the company does each day. Listening to employees' ideas and learning what issues are important to them are keys to creating jobs and helping employers like Brenntag remain competitive. I look forward to continue working to make sure we put in place common sense policies that allow Brenntag and its employees to thrive."

Brenntag is the global market leader in full-line chemical distribution. Linking chemical manufacturers and chemical users, Brenntag provides business-to-business distribution solutions for industrial and specialty chemicals globally. With over 10,000 products and a world-class supplier base, Brenntag offers one-stop-shop solutions to about 160,000 customers. The value-added services include just-in-time delivery, product mixing, formulation, repackaging, inventory management, drum return handling as well as extensive technical support. Headquartered in Mulheim an der Ruhr, Germany, the company operates a global network with more than 400 locations in nearly 70 countries. In 2010 the company realized global sales of EUR 7.6 billion (USD $10.1 billion) with more than 12,000 employees.

NACD and its over 400 member companies are vital to the chemical supply chain providing products to over 750,000 end users. They make a delivery every six seconds while maintaining a safety record that is more than twice as good as all manufacturing combined. NACD members are leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of Responsible Distribution, established in 1991 as a condition of membership and a third-party verified management practice. For additional information on our members, their safety record or NACD, visit NACD at www.nacd.com.

Contact: Matthew Glaser, 1-703-527-6223

SOURCE National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD)