The Shepherd Chemical Company

The Shepherd Chemical Company is an American specialty chemical manufacturer headquartered in Norwood, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. Founded in 1916 by Lee Shepherd, the company began by producing metal soaps used as printing ink and paint driers, and over more than a century it evolved into a developer and manufacturer of metal-based and specialty chemistry. Its products are often unseen by end users but are essential to technologies for consumer safety, environmental sustainability, advanced product performance and industrial process efficiency. Shepherd's portfolio spans metal carboxylates and organics, inorganic metal salts, and high-purity catalysts, precursors and intermediates. Historically it developed nickel and cobalt salts for plating and animal feed, coloring oxides for porcelain enamel, and later entered the catalyst industry. Its BiCAT® catalysts are used in polyurethane manufacturing, and products such as copper neodecanoate serve as safer alternatives to traditional copper carboxylates. The company emphasizes custom co-development with customers' technical teams, world-class R&D support, and ISO 9001:2015 quality standards. Shepherd remains a privately held, family-owned business. Tom Shepherd, Chairman & CEO, describes a family commitment to having a positive, long-term effect on the people the company impacts. The firm operates under the promise "Creating Value That Brightens Lives" and is a leader in implementing the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care® management system, investing in air and water emission purity, reduced energy usage and lower greenhouse gas emissions. With over 100 years of operation, Shepherd serves customers globally from its Norwood manufacturing headquarters, maintaining long-term relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and the communities where it works. The broader Shepherd Chemical group also includes Shepherd Color, reflecting a shared culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

The Shepherd Chemical Company was founded in 1916 by Lee Shepherd. Its original products were metal soaps used as printing ink and paint driers. In the 1920s, operations moved to Norwood, Ohio, which became the company's global headquarters for manufacturing. During the 1930s, Shepherd developed nickel and cobalt salts for plating and animal feed. The second generation, John F. Shepherd, joined the business and focused on coloring oxides for porcelain enamel. In the 1940s, Shepherd's capacity and capabilities increased steadily, largely through collaborations between Shepherd's chemists and engineers and customers' technical teams. The company became a reliable supplier of high-purity catalysts, precursors and intermediates, laying the foundation for its custom co-development capabilities. In the 1950s, third-generation John M. Shepherd joined, focusing sales efforts on chemical industry partnerships and fostering the collaborative culture the company enjoys today. The 1960s brought mid-century modernization as Shepherd entered the catalyst industry, offering cobalt, nickel and other catalyst products. Over the following decades, Shepherd continued to develop, manufacture and sell specialty metal-based chemicals, building long-term relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and communities. The company's history is characterized by a commitment to these relationships and to the perpetual pursuit of new customers and new applications for its capabilities. By the 2020s, Shepherd had been in operation for over 100 years. It markets itself as a partner in sustainable chemistry, emphasizing its leadership in the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care® management system, investments in air and water emission purity, reduced energy usage and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The company continues to innovate in metal chemistry, promoting products such as copper neodecanoate as a safer alternative to traditional copper carboxylates and BiCAT® catalysts for polyurethane manufacturing. Tom Shepherd serves as Chairman & CEO, representing the family's ongoing commitment to the business.

• 1960

  Shepherd enters the catalyst industry, offering cobalt, nickel and other catalysts.

• 1950

  Third-generation John M. Shepherd joins, focusing sales on chemical industry partnerships.

• 1940

  Capacity and capabilities increase through customer collaborations; Shepherd becomes a reliable supplier of high-purity catalysts, precursors and intermediates.

• 1930

  Nickel and cobalt salts developed for plating and animal feed; second-generation John F. Shepherd joins and focuses on coloring oxides for porcelain enamel.

• 1920

  Operations move to Norwood, Ohio, which becomes the global headquarters for manufacturing.

• 1916

  Lee Shepherd founds The Shepherd Chemical Co.; original products are metal soaps used as printing ink and paint driers.

A family-owned, century-old partner in sustainable metal and specialty chemistry, delivering flexible product solutions with exacting standards, world-class R&D support and ISO 9001:2015 quality.

• BiCAT® catalysts

  Catalysts for polyurethane manufacturing, emphasizing performance, function and sustainability benefits.

• Copper neodecanoate

  A safer, versatile alternative to traditional copper carboxylates used as industrial catalysts.

• Metal carboxylates and organics

  Specialty metal-based chemistry for various industrial applications.

• Inorganic metal salts

  Nickel, cobalt and other metal salts for plating, animal feed and other uses.

• High-purity catalysts, precursors and intermediates

  Custom co-developed products for chemical industry customers.

1. 1The Shepherd Chemical Company | A Global Chemical Manufacturershepchem.com
2. 2Our Rich History | The Shepherd Chemical Companyshepchem.com
3. 3The Shepherd Chemical Company | A Top Chemical Manufacturershepchem.com
4. 4Careers in Chemistry | The Shepherd Chemical Companyshepchem.com
5. 5Shepherd Chemicals (United States) - Wikidatawikidata.org