Right after the turn of the century, the nation was in the midst of an industrial revolution. Business was growing by leaps and bounds. Large national trusts were formed in iron, steel, and oil and enormous empires and personal fortunes were being made locally in shipping and mining. Scores of businesses were springing up daily to support the mushrooming business districts. Cleveland’s population exploded along with new housing developments, schools, and factories.

The Zucker brothers recognized the challenge and opportunities and they were committed to continually improving their products, their service level, and their company. Their hard work paid off...they began making a profit and reinvested those profits. Continual reinvestment triggered additional growth.

In 1927, the Company constructed a new 30,000-square-foot building on Superior Avenue and moved their headquarters there. The three-story facility housed up-to-date equipment, which enabled the Company to provide faster service and to carry a larger volume and more complex stock. Sales grew and a successful catalog/mail order business was launched.

During the 1940's, the Company continued to expand by opening sales offices in Columbus and Cincinnati. In 1944, State acquired its first warehouse building on Hamilton Avenue in Cleveland.

In 1966, State broke ground for a $500,000 expansion of its plant at 3100 Hamilton Avenue, virtually doubling the size of its downtown Cleveland facility. During the mid-1960’s, the Company grew at a rate of 20 percent per year and employed 100 people. 

In the early 1970’s, another expansion was undertaken which again doubled the size of the Company’s space. The construction created the campus as it is today. State Chemical virtually sprawls along the entire Hamilton Avenue block from the inner belt freeway to East 33rd Street, and consists of manufacturing, warehouse, and office space.

The 1980’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s brought about massive product and system development, growth of the internal and external sales force, technological advancements, and regulatory and quality assurance accomplishments such as numerous ISO certifications. State Chemical and its people have rapidly grown from a small storefront operation to a multimillion dollar company built on a strong reputation, incredible products, and outstanding service.

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