|
1990 |
Grace acquires Forrer Industries, a leading supplier of masonry block products,
and opens offices in Guatemala. |
|
1991 |
Grace expands its offering of custom and proprietary hydroprocessing catalysts and
supports for the refining industry. Grace opens offices in Costa Rica. |
|
1992 |
J. Peter Grace retires as CEO, a position he held for 48 years, making him the longest
reigning CEO of a public company. J. P. Bolduc succeeds him as CEO. |
|
1993 |
Grace introduces revolutionary oxygen-scavenging seals for beer bottle crowns worldwide
to retain freshness and taste without preservatives. Grace builds its first construction
products and container sealants plant in Indonesia. |
|
1994 |
Grace begins manufacturing packaging materials in Russia. |
|
1995 |
 J. Peter Grace, company chairman, business leader and philanthropist
dies at age 82. Albert J. Costello joins Grace as president, chairman and CEO. Grace
acquires Cormix Construction Chemicals, expanding market penetration in the United
Kingdom, Middle East and Asia Pacific. |
|
1996 |
Grace shareholders realize significant value after Grace receives approximately
$3 billion in after-tax cash proceeds from the disposition of several noncore businesses.
Grace builds its first packaging and silica products plant in Malaysia and expands
construction products business into India and Vietnam. |
|
1997 |
Grace significantly improves its capital structure by completing a stock repurchase
that returns 28 million shares of Grace common stock to the Company treasury. Grace
announces plans to merger its Cryovac packaging business with Sealed Air Corporation
in a tax-free transaction. Grace introduces Procor™ fluid-applied waterproofing,
a liquid alternative to sheet membrane waterproofing. |
|
1998 |
 Grace merges its Cryovac packaging business with Sealed Air Corporation
in a tax-free transaction valued at more than $6 billion. The new Grace emerges
as a global specialty chemicals company, focusing on catalysts and silica products,
specialty construction chemicals and building materials, and container protection
products. Paul J. Norris joins Grace as CEO. |
|
1999 |
Paul Norris becomes Chairman. Grace relocates its corporate headquarters to Columbia,
Maryland. Performance Chemicals unit is formed, comprising construction chemicals
and materials, and Darex Container Products. |
|
2000 |
Grace continues successful bolt-on acquisition strategy with the
Crosfield Groups hydroprocessing business, the
International Protective Coatings firestop products and systems business,
the LUDOX® collodial
silicas business, and the Hampshire Polymers
business. |