COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 421840

Industrial Supplies Wholesalers

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

10companies1919–1999founding years10still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedRoyal Packaging Industries Van Leer N.V.FoundedRoyal Packaging Industries Van Leer N.V.
1919
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedMcJunkin CorporationFoundedMcJunkin Corporation
1951
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedAviation Sales CompanyFoundedAviation Sales Company
1996
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedPennzoil-Quaker State CompanyFoundedPennzoil-Quaker State Company
1998
FoundedAnglo American PLCFoundedAnglo American PLC
1999
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Royal Packaging Industries Van Leer N.V. →
Active · founded 1919 · The Netherlands
Royal Packaging Industries Van Leer N.V.
Royal Packaging Industries Van Leer N.V. →
Active · founded 1919 · The Netherlands
Royal Packaging Industries Van Leer N.V.
McJunkin Corporation →
Active · founded 1951
Located in Charleston, West Virginia, McJunkin Corporation is a major distributor of carbon steel; stainless steel and…
McJunkin Corporation →
Active · founded 1951
Located in Charleston, West Virginia, McJunkin Corporation is a major distributor of carbon steel; stainless steel and…
Aviation Sales Company →
Active · founded 1996
Based in Miramar, Florida, Aviation Sales Company (ASC) is the product of a 1993 spin-off of the aviation services unit…
Aviation Sales Company →
Active · founded 1996
Based in Miramar, Florida, Aviation Sales Company (ASC) is the product of a 1993 spin-off of the aviation services unit…
Pennzoil-Quaker State Company →
Active · founded 1998
The Pennzoil-Quaker State Company is a leading worldwide automotive consumer products company formed in 1998, through…
Pennzoil-Quaker State Company →
Active · founded 1998
The Pennzoil-Quaker State Company is a leading worldwide automotive consumer products company formed in 1998, through…
Anglo American PLC →
Active · founded 1999 · United Kingdom
Anglo American PLC is considered the world's largest gold-mining organization.
Anglo American PLC →
Active · founded 1999 · United Kingdom
Anglo American PLC is considered the world's largest gold-mining organization.
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