One of West Michigan’s 2026 Best and Brightest Employers!
Our History
Webb Chemical Service Corporation was founded in December 1963 by Mr. William Barger. Mr. Barger named the company “Webb” to represent each of his family member’s first names (William, Eve, Betsy, Bill). The values and commitments Mr. Barger held when he started Webb continue to be an integral part of how we operate today.
1963
Webb Chemical Service Corporation was incorporated in December 1963. We began as a “mom and pop” organization.
1964
Clarence “Click” McMiller joined Webb as the first employee outside the Barger family. All sales activities were in Muskegon and Whitehall. Mr. Bob Hilleary began calling on Webb Chemical.
1968
Webb operated out of a building on East Western Avenue that had wooden floors. We operated without lift trucks, storage tanks, safety showers, and air conditioning.
1968
Sales were approximately $750,000. In September 1968, Mr. Bob Hilleary began working for Webb and we grew to 6 employees.
1971
Webb Chemical relocated to Jarman Street in Muskegon Heights, MI.
1973
From late 1968 to 1973 Webb added additional drivers and warehouse employees. Our sales territory expanded to include Grand Haven, Holland, and Grand Rapids. Sales grew to 3 million.
1973
In May 1973, Mr. Barger sold Webb Chemical to Mr. William “Bill” White and Mr. Bob Hilleary. Under their leadership, Webb expanded its sales territory down to Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor, and up to Traverse City.
1979
Between 1974 and 1979 Webb built 2 additional buildings to accommodate company growth. This expansion increased warehouse capacity and office space. We also built our own tanker wash-out facility.
1981
On June 30, 1981, Mr. William White was tragically killed in an airplane accident. Webb Chemical became owned entirely by the Hilleary family.
1981
Sales grew to 11.8 million.
1988
Webb purchased land across Jarman Street and built a dry storage warehouse. This increased efficiency as employees no longer needed to travel to our off-site storage facility to fulfill orders.
1988
Sales grew to 17.8 million.
1991
We built a 110,000 gallon solvent tank farm. This expansion increased our ability to strategically distribute organic chemicals.
1994
Sales topped 22 million.
1995
Webb again increased office space to accommodate company growth. Webb employed 30 employees during the late 1990’s.
1996
Webb acquired the GTE building across the railroad tracks along Jarman Street and Sherman Blvd. This building and the surrounding land offered room for continued expansion.
1997
We expanded our rail spur to 3,000 feet.
2000
Sales topped 32 million.
2005
Webb Chemical has always been proud to serve as a chemical distributor in West Michigan. But, with the changing business landscape, we had to rethink our strategic approach to future growth. We expanded our sales territory into Eastern Michigan.
2007
Webb grew to 42 employees.
2008
Webb’s next strategic initiative brought our daily LTL service into Indiana. Sales topped 40 million. Webb grew to 56 employees.
2009
On December 31, 2009, Mr. Bob Hilleary retired from Webb Chemical and his children, Brad, Brook, and Mark, became owners.
2012
Sales grew to over 60 million.
2013
We expanded our bulk tank farm at our Michigan location by 165,000 gallons. New bulk tank capacity is over 272,000 gallons.
2014
We strategically expanded into NW Ohio. Webb Chemical received the 2014 NACD Responsible Distribution Excellence Award. We hosted a 50th Anniversary celebration and open house.
2014
Brad Hilleary purchased his siblings shares of the company and became the sole owner of Webb Chemical Service Corporation.
2015
Sales grew to over 66 million and our team grew to 85 employees. Our sales territory includes deliveries via Webb’s fleet of equipment in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. We serve customers throughout the United States with third-party carrier partnerships.
2018
Development of New Core Values and Vision Map
2020
Completion of Food Grade Packaging Room and FSSC 22000 Certified
2021
Sales Surpass $100 Million
2024
Webb receives Dow Chemical Regional Distributor of the Year Award
