Cencora, Inc.
Company History
Cencora History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 2001 in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
When was Cencora founded?
Cencora was founded in 2001 in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania by Lucien Brunswig and Amerisource Health, making it 25 years old.
- Founded
- 2001
- Founding place
- Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
- Founders
- Lucien Brunswig and Amerisource Health
- Headquarters today
- Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
- Milestones documented
- 12 (2001–2026)
- Current CEO
- Robert P. Mauch
- Acquisitions
- 5
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2001 | AmerisourceBergen Formed |
| 2011 | Steven Collis Becomes CEO |
| 2012 | World Courier Acquisition |
| 2013 | Walgreens Partnership |
| 2015 | MWI Veterinary Supply Acquired |
| 2021 | Alliance Healthcare Acquisition |
| 2023 | Renamed Cencora |
| 2024 | Robert P. Mauch Becomes CEO |
| 2025 | Retina Consultants of America Deal Closes |
| 2025 | Revenue Reaches $321.3 Billion |
| 2026 | OneOncology Majority Acquisition Closes |
| 2026 | MWI Animal Health to Merge with Covetrus |
- Where was Cencora founded?
- Cencora was founded in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania in 2001.
- Who founded Cencora?
- Cencora was founded by Lucien Brunswig and Amerisource Health.
- When did Cencora start?
- Cencora was founded in 2001.
- How old is Cencora?
- Cencora is 25 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
Cencora's roots run through two older wholesalers. Bergen Brunswig traced its history to 19th-century drug wholesaling by Lucien Napoleon Brunswig, whose Brunswig Drug Company combined with New Jersey's Bergen Drug Company in 1969. AmeriSource grew out of Alco Health Services, the drug distribution arm of Alco Standard, and took the AmeriSource name in the 1990s. The two merged in August 2001 to form AmerisourceBergen, which renamed itself Cencora in August 2023 and began trading under the ticker COR.
Founders
Lucien Brunswig
Lucien Napoleon Brunswig was a 19th-century pharmaceutical wholesaler whose Brunswig Drug Company became one half of Bergen Brunswig after a 1969 merger with Bergen Drug Company. Bergen Brunswig later merged with AmeriSource Health in 2001 to form AmerisourceBergen, now Cencora. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).
Amerisource Health
Amerisource Health was the Pennsylvania-based drug wholesaler that grew out of Alco Health Services. In 2001 it merged with Bergen Brunswig to create AmerisourceBergen, with AmeriSource CEO R. David Yost leading the combined company until 2011. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).
Key Milestones
AmerisourceBergen Formed
AmeriSource Health and Bergen Brunswig merged in August 2001 to form AmerisourceBergen.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgSteven Collis Becomes CEO
Steven Collis became chief executive of AmerisourceBergen in July 2011.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgWorld Courier Acquisition
AmerisourceBergen acquired World Courier for about $520 million, adding global specialty and clinical-trial logistics.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgWalgreens Partnership
AmerisourceBergen signed a 10-year distribution agreement with Walgreens and Alliance Boots, which also took an equity stake; the agreement was later extended through 2029.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgMWI Veterinary Supply Acquired
AmerisourceBergen bought the animal-health distributor MWI Veterinary Supply in 2015 for about $2.5 billion.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgAlliance Healthcare Acquisition
The company acquired most of Walgreens Boots Alliance's Alliance Healthcare wholesale businesses for about $6.5 billion, expanding in Europe.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgRenamed Cencora
AmerisourceBergen changed its name to Cencora in August 2023 and its NYSE ticker from ABC to COR.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgRobert P. Mauch Becomes CEO
Robert P. Mauch succeeded Steven H. Collis as President and CEO on October 1, 2024; Collis became executive chairman.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgRetina Consultants of America Deal Closes
Cencora completed its acquisition of about 85% of Retina Consultants of America in January 2025.
Source: investor.cencora.comRevenue Reaches $321.3 Billion
Cencora reported $321.3 billion in fiscal 2025 revenue, up 9.3%, with about 51,000 employees.
Source: sec.govOneOncology Majority Acquisition Closes
Cencora closed its acquisition of the majority of OneOncology it did not already own in February 2026.
Source: investor.amerisourcebergen.comMWI Animal Health to Merge with Covetrus
Cencora agreed in February 2026 to merge MWI Animal Health with Covetrus, valuing MWI at $3.5 billion and keeping a minority stake.
Source: investor.cencora.comMajor Acquisitions
World Courier
2012Add global specialty transportation and clinical-trial logistics.
MWI Veterinary Supply
2015Enter animal health distribution.
Alliance Healthcare
2021Expand international pharmaceutical wholesale.
Retina Consultants of America
2025Acquire about 85% of a retina-specialist management services organization.
OneOncology
2026Acquire the majority of OneOncology it did not already own from TPG and other holders.
Keep researching Cencora
Cencora Company History FAQ
When was AmerisourceBergen formed through the merger of AmeriSource and Bergen Brunswig?
AmerisourceBergen Corporation was officially formed on August 28, 2001, through the merger of equals between AmeriSource Health Corporation and Bergen Brunswig Corporation, creating a $35 billion pharmaceutical wholesale giant.
When did AmerisourceBergen enter the specialty pharmaceutical distribution market?
During the early 2000s, AmerisourceBergen established its Specialty Group, acquiring oncology group purchasing organization ION Solutions and clinical consulting firm Xcenda (2007) to lead the burgeoning specialty oncology market.
When did AmerisourceBergen acquire World Courier and MWI Animal Health?
AmerisourceBergen executed major strategic diversifications by acquiring global clinical trial logistics provider World Courier for $520 million in 2012 and animal health distributor MWI Veterinary Supply for $2.5 billion in 2015.
When did AmerisourceBergen establish its long-term strategic partnership with Walgreens?
In March 2013, AmerisourceBergen and Walgreens (and Alliance Boots) entered into a landmark 10-year comprehensive pharmaceutical distribution agreement, which included Walgreens acquiring a major equity stake and creating the WBAD generic sourcing joint venture.
When did AmerisourceBergen acquire Alliance Healthcare for $6.5 billion?
In June 2021, AmerisourceBergen completed the transformative $6.5 billion acquisition of Alliance Healthcare from Walgreens Boots Alliance, expanding its wholesale distribution reach across more than 115,000 pharmacies and hospitals throughout Europe.
When did AmerisourceBergen officially rebrand to Cencora, Inc.?
On August 30, 2023, AmerisourceBergen Corporation officially changed its corporate name to Cencora, Inc., and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol COR, unifying its global operations under a single modern brand.
When did Bob Mauch succeed Steven Collis as CEO of Cencora?
On October 1, 2024, Robert P. Mauch (Bob Mauch) officially assumed the role of President and CEO of Cencora, with Steven H. Collis transitioning to Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.
What is Cencora's position in the global healthcare supply chain today?
Cencora is one of the three largest U.S. pharmaceutical distributors. It reported $321.3 billion of fiscal 2025 revenue and owns Alliance Healthcare in Europe, World Courier logistics, and specialty physician platforms Retina Consultants of America and OneOncology.
Was Cencora formerly AmerisourceBergen?
Yes, Cencora is the new name for AmerisourceBergen. The company rebranded in 2023 to unify its massive global operations and heavily emphasize a unified, modern corporate identity.
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