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DuPont Case Study

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

DuPont is a global leader among industrial growth companies and a leader in science and technology. High-performance materials, specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products are among the markets in which DuPont produces products. DuPont has an estimated family of 2,000 trademarks and branded products. The company also deals with science based solutions in regard to food and nutrition, healthcare, apparel, home and construction, electronics, and transportation.

Founded in 1802, the company operates in 70 countries and has 93,000 employees. It’s employees are made up of men and women of many races, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds. According to Charles O. (Chad) Holliday, Jr., the Chairman and CEO, a career at DuPont offers employees an opportunity to a bright professional future.

DuPont holds the “highest standards of performance” in maintaining its philosophy on “business Excellence.” Think Globally and act locally is the strategy of Dupont. Ranked as number 56 in the Fortune 500, and 68 by Hoovers 500, Dupont’s direct market competitors BASF AG, Bayer AG, and Dow Chemical are no match for it’s presence in the market place.

 Introduction: The Firm

DuPont, also known as E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company is a science company with nine business units, “delivering science-based solutions that make a difference in people's lives in food and nutrition; health care; apparel; home and construction; electronics; and transportation. Founded in 1802, the company operates in 70 countries and has 93,000 employees” (Index Information, 2001). Currently, Charles O. (Chad) Holliday, Jr., 52, is Chairman and CEO in the forefront of this “functional corporate structure with a domestic corporate staff orientation, and an international division” (Keegan, 1999).

“For nearly 200 years, Dupont’s core values have remained constant: commitment to safety, health and the environment; integrity and high ethical...