Materials distribution firm Dunleary Inc. is changing its name to Terra Firma Co. LLC to reflect a pair of acquisitions it made earlier this year.
In July, Baltimore-based Dunleary purchased D.N. Lukens Inc. of Westboro, Mass., and Dallas-based D&F Distributing Inc. All three firms do work in plastic additives and specialty resins.
"Our three companies made a collective decision to combine and form Terra Firma, our vision of sure footing during changing times," CEO David Behan said in a news release. "This was facilitated by our closely shared values, strong belief in customer centricity, and changes in world markets."
Terra Firma will be based in Towson, Md. Officials said that the new firm's mission "is to offer stability to chemical suppliers and customers in an evolving world."
The three companies serve many chemicals markets, including coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, food, personal care, cosmetics and graphic arts. They cover a combined 28 states and employ almost 30 technical sales reps.
Dunleary, founded in 1949, has 15 suppliers including Arkema and Trinseo. Its distribution products include epoxies, nylon powders, polyurethane disperisons and pigments.
D.N. Lukens was founded by its namesake in 1943. Its distribution products include epoxies, copolyesters and modifiers. The firm's signature product is its patented Atomite-brand ultra-pure white pigment.
Dallas-based D&F was founded in 1975. Its distribution products include epoxies, phenolics, styrenic block copolymers, colorants and pigments from such suppliers as Hexion Inc. and Ferro Corp.
"Our longevity has allowed us to provide our customers and principal partners with dependable and familiar faces that are always ready to serve," Behan added. And by offering this stability, he said, Terra Firma "allows [customers] to focus on necessary changes while we remain a valued constant, or as our name implies, solid ground."
Dirk Plas joined the expanded firm as vice president of principal relationships and development after 14 years as president and CEO of specialty chemicals firm BYK USA. Other executives will include Chief Operating Officer John Lukens, President William Chestnutt, Executive Vice President Julia Williams, Vice President of Sales Jeff Palumbo and Chief Technology Officer Steve Hightower.
Dunleary officials previously said that the combined firm would be one of the 10 largest specialty chemicals distributors in the United States, with annual sales estimated at more than $70 million. The new Terra Firma has almost 60 employees.