CCI Celebrating 40 Years
June 13, 2018
The year was 1978, and the world was just on the verge of the personal computer revolution. If you had asked him at the time if he thought CCI would ever be inside a personal computer, CCI’s Chairman of the Board and founder, Richard Sheard, may have thought you had just watched one too many sci-fi flicks.
Building off their home-grown roots as Sheard Science Supplies in Columbus, WI, Columbus Chemical Industries (CCI), Inc. had just finalized the steps of becoming an incorporated business, focused on providing chemistry and supplies for laboratories, hobbyists, and the occasional pyrotechnician. All of whom might have had a difficult time otherwise finding the materials they needed in the unique, sometimes as small as one ounce, sizes offered by Sheard’s family-run business.
As the years passed by, and the role of chemistry in manufacturing steadily advanced, so did CCI. While still supplying to the obvious outlets of labs and chemistry education, CCI became known for high purity and specialty chemicals in increasingly diverse markets.
Over the past 40 years, CCI has expanded to 2 operating locations in Columbus, WI and Phoenix, AZ, employing 70 people, serving customers nationwide and around the world. Numerous investments to increase capabilities and ensure quality over the years include the addition of multiple nitric acid distillation units, a cGMP compliant chemical handling environment, state-of-the-art warehouse space, and an in-house laboratory equipped to test trace contaminants to a less than 1 ppb presence.
At its 40-year mark, CCI’s clients have come to include those in the electronics/semiconductor, pharmaceutical and medical device industries, as well as food & beverage, agriculture, energy and industrial manufacturing.
The high purity and custom chemical services provided by CCI support its customers goals of bringing products to market that improve efficiency, reduce waste and pollution, extend product life, and increase quality of life. These days, CCI’s chemistry can be found in products ranging from solar panels to hoof treatments, catalytic converters to medical diagnostic equipment, the line cleaners that keep craft breweries’ products top-of-the-line, to yes, even the electronic semiconductor wafers that are inside your smart devices and personal computers!
As we celebrate our 40th year, CCI would like to thank all our customers, suppliers, service provides, and both the local and industry-wide communities that have supported us over the years and contributed to our exciting journey.
