Seastar Chemicals Inc. of Sidney has been bought by a U.S.-based firm in a deal for an undisclosed amount of money.
VWR International, LLC announced in a media release on Jan. 12 their purchase of Seastar Chemicals, located on McDonald Park Road in the Sidney industrial area. VWR is a global independent “provider of product and service solutions to laboratory and production customers.” The company is based in Radner, Pennsylvania.
Seastar, founded in 1987, specializes in the manufacturing of chamicals, using a proprietary purification technology, shipping to customers around the world.
Seastar Chief Executive Officer Ken Lewis says the new owner has no plans to change anything at the Sidney company. In essence, he said they have a new parent company.
VWR, Lewis explained, is an international company and will allow Seastar to take advantage of its world-wide connections, supply resources and geographic locations. It’s an opportunity for Seastar to grow, he added.
Prior to the deal, Seastar had expanded in the Sidney industrial area.
The company built a new administrative and warehouse building along McDonald Park Road. Lewis said they moved in last November.
The added space allows Seastar to keep non-production materials there and creates better space for administration.
Their long-time production facility across the street remains open, with added space now to grow their manufacturing capability.
Seastar employs approximately 45 people.
“Seastar’s leading products, paired with their dedication to safety, quality and innovation make them a strong fit for VWR,” stated President and CEO of VWR, Manuel Broke-Benz in a media release.
VWR stated it had sales in excess of $4.3 billion in 2015 and has a “dedicated team” of 9,300 associates, focussed on supplying scientists, medical professionals and production engineers with services and products.
The PNR contacted VWR but had not had a reply.