Historic Timeline
Learn about Douglas’ deep history, all the way from its start in 1916 to today!
Over a Century of Service
Founded in 1916 with the manufacturing of grain sanitization chemicals, Douglas has been providing protective chemical and biological products across the US and abroad for more than 100 years.
Throughout that continuous operating history, Douglas has diversified into multiple niche markets. A solid commitment to integrity and to all the people we work with was passed down through the generations from the very start, and continues to this day.
Our production, warehouse and sales staff has over 200 years of direct expertise in problem solving and product solutions for the industries we serve.
Our Historic Timeline
1916
Douglas Chemical & Supply Company is founded by George Douglas as a grain sanitization and janitorial supply company in the West Bottoms of downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
1940’s
Robert Van Doran purchases the company from Douglas and expands the ag chemical division by adding grain sanitation chemicals to the product line.
1950
Bill (WC) McCaslin starts working for the company, and later has the roles of General Manager and Vice President.
1951
1951: Missouri River floods the entire West Bottoms area of Kansas City, causing $500 Million in damage ($3 Billion in today’s dollars), completely flooding the facility. From 1951-1963, the company relocates to North Kansas City at 16th & Iron.
1955
McCaslin and Van Doran purchase a 360 acre property in Liberty, Missouri that had included a farm & feed manufacturing company.
1963
McCaslin purchases the company from Van Doran. A new facility is built on the Liberty, MO property and Bill changes the business name to Douglas Chemical Company.
1966
Dick Bigler begins selling contractors to build new grain elevators in Iowa, providing him unique insight & expertise in the workings of grain elevators.
1969
Bill’s son Jerry McCaslin begins working as a purchasing agent in his early 20’s. Jerry works alongside his father for decades, eventually becoming President. Fumigation and ag chemical products are the main focus during this period, including the production of aeration equipment for grain elevators
1970's
Dick Bigler initiates what will become a domestic standard of fumigating ships in transit to foreign ports.
1978
A second warehouse is built as the company expands after adding RV & marine antifreeze products, RV and camper cleaning products, and a toilet deodorizer product for railroads.
1983
Ballard starts with the company, and continues today as Warehouse Manager.
1985
Federal regulations change, resulting in the recall and ban of one liquid fumigant in the product line. Douglas is known and trusted for its industry expertise, and the facility is selected to receive and process all the deregulated materials from across the country.
1993
1998
Toll blending services are added to Douglas offerings.
1998 (circa)
Douglas acquires VapoCide and DustaCide product lines that had been originally introduced to the market by Dick Bigler 27 years prior.
2002
Brenda starts with the company and continues today as Director of Operations.
2007
2008
Douglas acquires BioStim product line. Douglas acquires Commodity Services Company that had been co-owned by current salesperson Dick Bigler, adding PH3 to the product line.
2011
Douglas acquires Inca Gold product line.
March 31, 2025
Douglas Production Technologies, LLC (Douglas ProTech) forms under new ownership that includes Jerry McCaslin, with 6 product lines and carrying on continuous operations with existing employees in the Liberty, MO facility.
Mission
Our mission is to deliver quality, time-tested products and services with expertise, responsiveness and integrity, while growing our relationships with customers and vendors.