Company

Servicing the rubber, thermoplastics and other polymer-related industries for more than 85 years, Harwick Standard is a management-owned and operated sales, marketing, and technical support organization headquartered in Akron, Ohio.

Harwick Standard is ISO 9001:2015 registered, and operates a nationwide distribution network supplying products from more than 30 blue chip manufacturers. Harwick Standard is a proud member of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) and practices the NACD's Responsible Distribution.

Executive Management Team

Ernie Pouttu

President & CEO
[email protected]

Ernie Pouttu Details

President & CEO
[email protected]

Ernie Pouttu is Harwick Standard’s current President & CEO. His tenure at Harwick exceeds 30 years. Ernie began his career at Harwick Standard in the Finance Department. Prior to joining Harwick, Ernie was a Tax Supervisor at Ernst & Young.

Ernie’s professional affiliations include membership in the American Chemical Society / Rubber Division, the Rubber Roller Group, and past Chairman of the Chemical Division of the National Chemical Credit Association.

Ernie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting degree from Kent State University, a Master of Science in Taxation degree from the University of Akron, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Kent State University.

Ernie and is wife, Mary Kay, live in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and have two children, Ernie and Carly. Ernie enjoys running, reading, bicycling and music. He also finds time to serve on the Board of various community organizations including Leadership Akron, Akron Civic Theatre, and Akron Children’s Hospital. Ernie is a former Board and Chair member of the University of Akron’s College of Business Advancement Council and has volunteered for the Bridgestone Invitational Professional Golf Tournament for the past 35 years.

Jim Houston

Senior Vice President - Finance & CFO
[email protected]

Jim Houston Details

Senior Vice President - Finance & CFO
[email protected]

Jim Houston is Harwick Standard’s Senior Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer. His tenure at Harwick exceeds 25 years. Jim began his career at Harwick Standard in the Finance Department and also managed the company’s two manufacturing divisions. Prior to joining Harwick, Jim was an Audit Manager at Ernst & Young and also worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Jim’s professional affiliations include membership in the American Chemical Society / Rubber Division and the Rubber Roller Group.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting degree from Youngstown State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Ashland University.

Jim has three children and lives in Beachwood, Ohio. Jim enjoys fishing, target shooting and travel.

Our History

1932

Back in 1932 Curtis J. Harwick saw an opportunity to build a business selling carbon black, rejected by the large tire companies to smaller companies in the Akron area. Encouraged by his initial success, he added other products used in the industry and in the late 1930’s worked out an arrangement with his first large principal, Pennsylvania Industrial Chemical Corporation, Picco, now a part of Eastman Chemical to sell the firm’s hydrocarbon resins to the rubber industry. The company was first known as Standard Chemical Company.

1946

During the 1940’s, Standard Chemical began to expand across the United States, establishing a sales presence from coast to coast. Today, we serve all of North America and export to other parts of the world as well. In 1946, the company was renamed Harwick Standard Chemical Company. In 1948, Curtis passed away and his wife, Virginia, took control. One year later, we moved our headquarters to it's current location at 60 South Seiberling Street in Akron, Ohio.

1968

In 1968, Harwick Standard Chemical was purchased by Chemetron Corporation, becoming a subsidiary named Harwick Inc. Three years later, a group of fifteen corporate officers purchased the assets from Chemetron and Harwick Chemical Corporation was born. Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, Harwick continued to expand its product line portfolio, establishing additional principal relationships and purchasing manufacturing businesses.

1997

Harwick’s manufacturing business was acquired by M.A. Hanna (later known as PolyOne) in 1997, and the company returned to its distribution roots as Harwick Standard Distribution Corporation.

2012

Harwick celebrates its 80th Anniversary in 2012. Continuing its proud traditions of aligning with excellent principals and suppliers, and building a strong team of industry professionals, Harwick Standard remains the premier sales, marketing, technical, and logistics expert in the polymer industry today.

Today

Today, we serve all of North America and other parts of the world. Harwick is planting the seeds of growth for the next 84 years in the rubber and plastics industry, in order to better serve its customers, principals and employees and provide a bright future for all of those who are a part of its journey.