Guide to the American Hospital Supply Corporation Records, 1920-1986

Other Information:

Founded in 1922 by Foster G. McGaw (1897-1986), the American Hospital Supply Corporation (AHSC) served as a major supplier of health care products to hospitals in the United States and around the world through subsidiaries for over half a century. The AHSC maintained its position of leader in the health care industry until the corporation was acquired by competitor Baxter Travenol in a merger on November 25, 1985.

The AHSC dominated the hospital supply field during the 1930s and 1940s by changing the way hospital supplies were marketed, designating regional salesman who made frequent sales calls. The AHSC continued to dominate the field by diversifying its product line and later by pursuing vertical integration of suppliers.

The 1950s and 1960s was a period of strong growth for the AHSC. In 1953, the AHSC reported sales surpassing $37.5 million. Ten years later, sales had jumped to $150 million. By 1964, the AHSC sold to 19 out of 20 hospitals in America. The AHSC also employed one out of every 46 workers in America as well. While the tremendous success enjoyed by the AHSC was a result of the corporations strong leadership, the growth of the hospital industry also played a vital role increasing sales for the AHSC. From 1946 to 1962, the number of hospital beds rose 15%. During that same time, hospital admissions rose by 70%.

Throughout the history of the AHSC, Foster G. McGaw played a prominent role in the direction of the corporation. McGaw's influence on the day-to-day operations of the AHSC lessened as the corporation expanded and branched out into manufacturing during the 1960s and 1970s. Despite McGaw's waning influence within the AHSC executive structure, he still maintained a role of father figure to the corporation.

For more information about the AHSC, see Growth Through Service: The Story of the American Hospital Supply Corporation by Frederick D. Sturdivant (Evanston: Northwestern University Press, 1970).

• NamesAmerican Hospital Supply Corporation
• SubjectPharmaceutical industry

This series has been separated from the papers of Foster G. McGaw, donated by James Vail to the University Archives on February 22, 1988 as Accession 88-52

Ned Howard, December, 1997

None.

Filling twenty-two boxes, this series dates between 1920 to 1986. Records are included for the following categories: advertising; marketing; corporate correspondence; divisional records for acquisitions and subsidiaries; mergers; scrapbooks; stocks and securities; legal records.

The records are arranged alphabetically by topic in keeping with the system of ordering established by the donor, Foster G. McGaw. Within the folders, documents are arranged in chronological order by date with the exception of the scrapbook folders, which are arranged in a rough chronological order by date.

Advertising Records detail the early efforts of the AHSC and include journal advertisements, export advertisements, and institutional advertisements. Corporate correspondence including correspondence between Foster G. McGaw and Neal Ball, Karl Bays, Charles F. Hough, Mackay A. Calder, and others. Division records include many of the AHSC's acquisitions and subsidiaries. The scrapbook records contain news clippings, correspondence, speeches, greeting cards, awards, and photocopies of newspaper articles among other things. The scrapbook records illustrate the blurred distinction between Foster G. McGaw's career as president, and his later position of honorary chairman of the board, of the AHSC and his personal life.

Filling twenty-two boxes, this series dates between 1920 to 1986. Records are included for the following categories: advertising; marketing; corporate correspondence; divisional records for acquisitions and subsidiaries; mergers; scrapbooks; stocks and securities; legal records.

The records are arranged alphabetically by topic in keeping with the system of ordering established by the donor, Foster G. McGaw. Within the folders, documents are arranged in chronological order by date with the exception of the scrapbook folders, which are arranged in a rough chronological order by date.

Advertising Records detail the early efforts of the AHSC and include journal advertisements, export advertisements, and institutional advertisements. Corporate correspondence including correspondence between Foster G. McGaw and Neal Ball, Karl Bays, Charles F. Hough, Mackay A. Calder, and others. Division records include many of the AHSC's acquisitions and subsidiaries. The scrapbook records contain news clippings, correspondence, speeches, greeting cards, awards, and photocopies of newspaper articles among other things. The scrapbook records illustrate the blurred distinction between Foster G. McGaw's career as president, and his later position of honorary chairman of the board, of the AHSC and his personal life.