History

Decades in the Making: The History of Composites One

As the composites industry grows and evolves, Composites One remains committed to serving as a single source for the widest range of products, services, and expertise for composites manufacturers.

Our Heritage Dates Back to 1940

Composites manufacturers have trusted Composites One as their composite material and supply partner for decades. With a rich history in sourcing, storing, and transporting the widest range of high-quality composite and advanced materials, Composites One is focused on providing unmatched technical support and customer service. Our customers trust us to assist in their success by serving as their complete composite material, technical, and service resource. We remain driven to be the most dynamic, innovative, and dependable supplier of composites materials, providing personalized service and building strong relationships with our customers.

1940
Founded as Great Lakes Solvents (GLS) to distribute chemicals in Chicago

1950s
Became one of the original Owens Corning fiberglass distributors

1995
Green-fielded five Distribution Centers from Minnesota to Arkansas to create the Central Region in the United States.

1999
Composites One formed as a joint venture by GLS Composites Distribution Corp. and Cook Composites and Polymers (now Polynt), owned at the time by Total Oil, bringing together GLS, and two Total/CCP owned regional composites distributors, CMI and RP Associates.

2000-2007
Five acquisitions completed:
Lake Erie Fiber Glass Supply Inc. – 2000
Plas-Tex Incorporated – 2001
Seemann Fiberglass (Mobile) – 2003
Fib-Chem Industries – 2004
PolyGard Incorporated – 2007

2014
Nexeo Solutions Composites Distribution acquired

2017
Canadian-based BMB Solutions Composites Distribution acquired

2019
Canadian-based Polynt Composites Distribution acquired

2021
Solvay’s Process Materials business acquired to create Aerovac

Today
Composites One continues to expand and build capability to better serve customers as the leader in composites distribution, living the same Core Values that have driven our success since day one.

What We Do
For Our Customers and Suppliers

At our essence, Composites One performs 8 valuable functions for our customers and supplier partners:

Buy products in large, efficient quantities from our supplier partners.
Sell an array of products that our customers can combine into a single order from a single source.
Deliver the right products to our customers at the right time, the right place and in the right quantity, safely and efficiently.
Store products near our customers so they can reduce their inventory investment and delivery lead times.
Finance our customers by providing lines of credit and flexibility with terms as they grow.
Absorb risks for our customers and suppliers. We carry millions of dollars of products so that our both our customers and suppliers can carry less inventory and eliminate obsolete and damaged inventory. Our suppliers also improve cash flow and eliminate credit risks because we reliably pay our bills.
Service products with our extensive technical knowledge, process expertise and regulatory compliance support.
Provide market information from our team of sales and marketing people who talks with hundreds of customers and suppliers about composites materials across the continent every day.