Van Horn, Metz & Co. was incorporated in 1950 by Harold Van Horn. Together with Donald Metz, Harold Van Horn formed a partnership in 1948 and immediately hired Douglas Everett, a salesman who later became President. During World War II, Metz and Va Horn, were formulating camouflage paint for the US Government. Don, a Yale University Chemical Engineer and the Government’s Chief Chemist for coatings technology, and Harold, a highly trained technical Pigment Salesman, collaborated on several projects for the military.
In 1960 VHM established a new headquarters in Conshohocken, PA with an adjoining warehouse, and shortly thereafter added a warehouse in Pittsburgh, PA. After Doug Everett’s untimely death, Jack Boorman became President (father of current Executive Vice-President, Brian Boorman).
Upon Jack’s retirement, Morgan Smith assumed the role of President. During Morgan’s tenure, the company’s customer base was expanded from Maine to Florida and the Mid-West. 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. Under Fisher’s leadership, the company continues to serve a strong customer base, located across North America, Caribbean, Europe and Asia. In 2016, VHM expanded to Canada adding a Toronto office. With an ever-growing sales force, customers receive regional focus and attention. Van Horn, Metz effectively sources global raw materials for customer needs and provides local warehouse capabilities across 12 facilities.
