OUR HISTORY
Aeropres Corporation was incorporated in 1973 in Louisiana, marking the beginning of a journey that would see the company become a worldwide leader in the production, distribution, and blending of high-purity gases. The company was born out of a vision to provide environmentally friendly alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Our Founder and first President, B.C. McKeever, laid the foundation for innovative business practices that have seen Aeropres grow into one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of high-purity propellants, solvents, and refrigerants globally.
In the early 1970s, twelve forward-thinking investors from Shreveport, Louisiana foresaw the business opportunities that the imminent CFC ban would create and chose to invest in a company that would offer alternative propellants for the aerosol industry. They believed in the potential of natural gas liquids, which do not contain ozone-depleting substances, as an environmentally friendly solution. In pursuit of this vision, the investors purchased property in Sibley, LA, in 1970 to build the nation’s first aerosol processing facility using Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) as feedstock. This pioneering facility had capabilities to further process and blend aerosol-grade NGLs.
Fast forward to 1973, and Aeropres expanded its footprint by acquiring two existing CFC distribution facilities located in Manhattan, IL, and Hillsborough, NJ. These facilities received aerosol-grade NGLs via railcars from two major NGL fractionation facilities. Our growth continued in 1984 with the acquisition of Industrial Hydrocarbons, which added a fourth facility in San Dimas, CA, to our portfolio. Major capital expenditures followed to equip all our locations with full production and blending capabilities. These investments still provide the most exceptionally reliable supply chain for aerosol propellant in North America.
In 1997, Aeropres commissioned a natural gas liquids fractionator in Cotton Valley, Louisiana which produced enough high-purity natural gas liquids to supply the entire North American propellant market. This development brought overall propellant prices down and allowed Aeropres to significantly grow its share in the propellant market and enter new markets.
Then in 2011, Aeropres acquired a competitor which included a fifth manufacturing plant located in Morris, Illinois. With ongoing improvements and steady expansion of the business, Aeropres presently owns and operates facilities located on the west coast, east coast, the Midwest, and the Southern region. With a footprint from coast to coast, its strategically placed operations can efficiently support and supply customers and business partners across the United States, Canada, South America, and beyond.
For over 50 years, Aeropres’ commitment to safety, quality, and customer service has been the foundation of the company. The outstanding people of Aeropres and its unique culture give the company its unmatched competitive advantage. As we look to the future, we remain committed to these principles, and to our mission of making life better through our high-purity gases.