Early in the 20th century in the United States, the need for specialty maintenance products resulted from a growing public demand for improved sanitation and increased safety. Milton P. Levy Sr. recognized this emerging opportunity and founded the National Disinfectant Company in 1919.

At first, the company offered only six products. The line featured products such as a coal tar disinfectant, an insecticide and a liquid hand soap to improve sanitation in hospitals, schools and public institutions. A pioneer in this new industry, the company's founder understood the value of providing both quality products and service to his customers. He and his enterprising staff developed relationships with their customers and learned the sales principles that would ultimately make his company a worldwide success.

After the first thirty years of the company's successful history, a second generation of leadership - the founder's sons, Milton, Lester and Irvin - assumed more responsibility in the operations. Under their early direction, they expanded the company's sales throughout the Texas region and in 1960 the name of the company was changed to National Chemsearch to reflect the company's expanding chemical product line.

In the late 1970s, the company name was changed to NCH Corporation and new safety divisions were begun in response to an increasing demand for personal safety equipment. Well-known safety brands such as American Allsafe, Lamba Systems safety cones, Masune and Medco first aid were once a part of this division. Although those brands are no longer part of the company, we still understand the importance of providing safety supplies and maintenance products that protect people, businesses and the environment.

Today, Supply Line Direct is the safety equipment and maintenance supply division of NCH, offering a full line of OSHA personal protective equipment. We help you protect your people with a range of hard hats, full face respirators from trusted names like 3M, eye protection, emergency eyewash stations, disposable gloves, safety vests, and hearing protection. We also help you ensure your business is a safe environment by supplying lockout tagout and OSHA safety signs to mark hazards and direct traffic. Finally, we help you care for the environment by using oil absorbents, universal absorbent pads for general chemical cleanup, spill response kits, and secondary containment.

Though the world has gone through dramatic changes since 1919, Supply Line Direct still subscribes to the fundamental vision of NCH - to anticipate and respond to customer needs. A business driven by such passion for customer satisfaction is rarely content to rest on its accomplishments, no matter how great.