April 1982
CDC was started by Larry Helscher, representing Mason Chemical, in a leased 1500 sq. ft. facility on Branford St. in Arleta, CA. He used Best Yet Express for shipping and hired neighbor, Michael.

1983
Larry accepted the Shaw Mudge & Co.’s offer to warehouse fragrances for a monthly fee. This enabled the hiring of Carol Bricker as the first office manager. An association that lasted for 13 years.

1984
The firm acquired Scher Chemical’s ester/specialty line and purchased a used U.S. Mail truck for $4,500 on Larry’s credit card. He even did the routine maintenance on it. Then, taking on largest supplier to date, Chemron, required adding a bobtail truck and eventually an in-city big-rig (with a CA state Class A driver).

1986
The Chemron account necessitated moving from the now 2 units (2,500 sq. ft.) down the street to a leased free standing building of an additional 2,500 sq. ft. Soon added was an additional 1,000 sq. ft. to the back of the facility and eventually another small building two doors down the side street. Much of this expansion was due to stocking Arista Oils.

1994
CDC moved to a 24,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Sylmar on Roxford St. in 1990. We experienced one of our larger earthquakes during this time. Thanks to the generosity of Bill Frost and Chemron, we were able to clean up the huge mess.

1995
Eldest son, Michael Helscher, joined Classic in January of 1995 as a salesperson and manager, upon his graduation from Ambassador University.

1996
Younger brother, Jason, joined the firm in January of 1996 as General Manager, upon his college graduation. He specifically devoted his attention to the critical shipping and logistical challenges the rapidly growing firm was experiencing.

1997
This year witnessed the next move, in 4 years, to Jessie St. in San Fernando to a duplex industrial warehouse of about 20,000 sq. ft. During this and a few previous years CDC added representation of several more manufacturers such as Arista and Jarchem. Also added was Alzo Int’l, while dropping Scher.

1998
With diligent observation of the industry’s market, Larry, Michael and Jason continued to add more resale items to the firm’s line and introduced CDC’s “Classic Fine Ingredients”.

2001
CDC bought its first company-owned building. In Pacoima, CA., on an acre of land with a 21,200 sq. ft. warehouse/ offices, double dock-high loading, truck turnarounds and storage, the facility and its location make it ideal for our business.

2008
After 25 years representing Chemron, the association ended. CDC had begun to diversify and expand into more buying and re-selling from manufacturers we did not officially represent as well as from fellow distributors. This did not suit the Chemron business plan. The severance cut CDC’s revenues drastically. But, when the going gets tough. the tough get going. As a result we made up for the loss and are a stronger, more flexible surfactant position than ever.

2009
After seven years of anticipation CDC succeeded in achieving an office remodel that, with 12 foot ceilings and exposed beams, is appropriate to our building. We hope to expand on that remodel concept by building a development lab early in 2011.

Today
CDC currently has a highly qualified staff of seven dedicated to customer satisfaction. We’ve grown, in all modesty, to one of the most respected distributors in our industry. And CDC founder, Larry Helscher, and his sons truly know the market's needs.