Cencora vs McKesson: Founders, CEOs and History
Cencora was founded in 2001 by Lucien Brunswig, Amerisource Health and is led by Robert P. Mauch. McKesson was founded in 1833 by John McKesson, Charles Olcott and is led by Brian S. Tyler.
Company facts
Founders
Cencora
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.
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.
McKesson
John McKesson
John McKesson co-founded Olcott & McKesson in New York City in 1833 with Charles Olcott, importing and wholesaling drugs and chemicals.
Charles Olcott
Charles Olcott was the senior partner in Olcott & McKesson, the New York drug wholesaler founded in 1833. Following his death, the business was reorganized as McKesson & Robbins in 1853.
CEOs and their tenures
Cencora
- R. David Yost2001–2011
Former Chief Executive Officer
Yost led AmerisourceBergen from its 2001 formation until 2011 and oversaw the integration of AmeriSource and Bergen Brunswig.
Source - Steven H. Collis2011–2024
Former Chief Executive Officer; Executive Chairman
Collis was CEO from 2011 to 2024. He led the World Courier and Alliance Healthcare acquisitions, the Walgreens partnership and the 2023 Cencora rebrand, then became executive chairman.
Source - Robert P. Mauch2024–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mauch became CEO on October 1, 2024, after serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and leading the U.S. distribution business.
Source - Eva Boratto2026–present
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Boratto oversees Cencora's finances, including fiscal 2026 guidance, share repurchases, and paydown of acquisition debt.
Source
McKesson
- John Hammergren2001–2019
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of McKesson from 2001 to 2019.
Source - Brian S. Tyler2019–present
Chief Executive Officer
CEO since April 2019. Tyler led the 2022 opioid settlement, the exit from Europe, the shift toward oncology, multispecialty and biopharma services, and the plan to separate Medical-Surgical Solutions as Wellverse.
Source
Timeline: Cencora and McKesson side by side
1833McKesson
Olcott & McKesson is founded
Charles Olcott and John McKesson established a New York wholesaler of therapeutic drugs and chemicals, creating the distribution foundation of today's McKesson.
2001Cencora
AmerisourceBergen Formed
AmeriSource Health and Bergen Brunswig merged in August 2001 to form AmerisourceBergen.
2012Cencora
World Courier Acquisition
AmerisourceBergen acquired World Courier for about $520 million, adding global specialty and clinical-trial logistics.
2013Cencora
Walgreens 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.
2017McKesson
Change Healthcare joint venture begins trading
McKesson combined most of its technology businesses with Change Healthcare. McKesson later completed its separation from Change Healthcare; it did not acquire the company in 2024.
2021Cencora
Alliance Healthcare Acquisition
The company acquired most of Walgreens Boots Alliance's Alliance Healthcare wholesale businesses for about $6.5 billion, expanding in Europe.
2021McKesson
National opioid settlement framework
McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen reached a nationwide settlement framework with states and local governments concerning opioid-distribution claims.
2023Cencora
Renamed Cencora
AmerisourceBergen changed its name to Cencora in August 2023 and its NYSE ticker from ABC to COR.
2024Cencora
Robert P. Mauch Becomes CEO
Robert P. Mauch succeeded Steven H. Collis as President and CEO on October 1, 2024; Collis became executive chairman.
2025Cencora
Retina Consultants of America Deal Closes
Cencora completed its acquisition of about 85% of Retina Consultants of America in January 2025.
2025Cencora
Revenue Reaches $321.3 Billion
Cencora reported $321.3 billion in fiscal 2025 revenue, up 9.3%, with about 51,000 employees.
2025McKesson
Oncology platform expands
McKesson completed investments in PRISM Vision and Core Ventures, expanding its provider footprint in ophthalmology, oncology, and multispecialty care.
2025McKesson
Medical-Surgical separation announced
Management announced plans to separate Medical-Surgical Solutions so McKesson could focus capital on oncology, multispecialty, and biopharma services.
2026Cencora
OneOncology Majority Acquisition Closes
Cencora closed its acquisition of the majority of OneOncology it did not already own in February 2026.
2026Cencora
MWI 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.
2026McKesson
European exit completed
The sale of McKesson's Norwegian retail and distribution operations completed the company's exit from European operations.
2026McKesson
Revenue reaches $403.4 billion
McKesson reported $403.4 billion of fiscal 2026 revenue, up 12%, with growth led by pharmaceutical distribution and oncology and multispecialty services.
Acquisitions
Cencora
- OneOncology2026$3.6B
- Retina Consultants of America2025$4.6B
- Alliance Healthcare2021$6.5B
- MWI Veterinary Supply2015$2.5B
- World Courier2012$520M
McKesson
No verified acquisitions are listed.
Questions about Cencora vs McKesson
Who is the CEO of Cencora, Inc. and McKesson Corporation?
Cencora, Inc. is led by Robert P. Mauch and McKesson Corporation is led by Brian S. Tyler. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Cencora, Inc. founded vs McKesson Corporation?
McKesson Corporation was founded in 1833 — 168 years before Cencora, Inc., which was founded in 2001. McKesson Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Cencora, Inc..
How many employees does Cencora, Inc. have compared to McKesson Corporation?
Cencora, Inc. employs approximately 51,000 people, while McKesson Corporation employs approximately 43,000. Cencora, Inc. has the larger workforce at 51,000 employees, compared to McKesson Corporation's 43,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Cencora, Inc. and McKesson Corporation headquartered?
Both Cencora, Inc. and McKesson Corporation are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Cencora, Inc. and McKesson Corporation?
Cencora, Inc. was founded by Lucien Brunswig, Amerisource Health. McKesson Corporation was founded by John McKesson, Charles Olcott.
Which company has a longer operating history — Cencora, Inc. or McKesson Corporation?
McKesson Corporation has been operating for approximately 193 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Cencora, Inc. has been in operation for around 25 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Cencora vs McKesson overview