Helena Chemical Company: Case Study
Helena Chemical Company
Logan R. Wall
University of Tennessee at Martin
Abstract
Helena Chemical Company is a national and global corporation that services farmer’s needs from start to finish of the growing season. We will look into Helena Chemical Company’s structure of the business, along with the management style throughout the business. Secondly we will look into the business opportunities and its business threats. Also we will go in depth to what I feel Helena Chemical Company is doing right, along with how I feel they are going about business the wrong way. Finally, I will give my recommendations on what Helena Chemical Company can do to gain a sustainable competitive advantage.
Helena Chemical Company was founded in 1957 in Helena, Arkansas as a formulator/distributor for the regional market. They would take orders during the day, then formulate, package, and distribute the product the next day. The business model worked for the small company, who then decided to branch out to the Mid South, then into the Southwest, the Southeast, Florida, and finally into California. With each new region, a new formulation facility would also be added to provide for the growing sales force. In 1962, Diamond Shamrock purchased 50% of Helena. Then in 1979, Bayer bought out Diamond Shamrock’s stock. Also in 1979, Bayer moved the headquarters of Helena Chemical Company to Memphis, Tennessee and took control of the management. In 1987, Bayer sold Helena Chemical to Marubeni America, who still owns and controls it today. Today, Helena Chemical Company’s motto is “People.. Product.. Knowledge..”. Helena feels that their success revolves around its people, who provide the correct combination of product based on knowledge of the customer’s business along with Helena’s interest to help extend and sustain success. Helena Chemical Company is broken down into four geographic business units, which are the Eastern Business
Logan R. Wall
University of Tennessee at Martin
Abstract
Helena Chemical Company is a national and global corporation that services farmer’s needs from start to finish of the growing season. We will look into Helena Chemical Company’s structure of the business, along with the management style throughout the business. Secondly we will look into the business opportunities and its business threats. Also we will go in depth to what I feel Helena Chemical Company is doing right, along with how I feel they are going about business the wrong way. Finally, I will give my recommendations on what Helena Chemical Company can do to gain a sustainable competitive advantage.
Helena Chemical Company was founded in 1957 in Helena, Arkansas as a formulator/distributor for the regional market. They would take orders during the day, then formulate, package, and distribute the product the next day. The business model worked for the small company, who then decided to branch out to the Mid South, then into the Southwest, the Southeast, Florida, and finally into California. With each new region, a new formulation facility would also be added to provide for the growing sales force. In 1962, Diamond Shamrock purchased 50% of Helena. Then in 1979, Bayer bought out Diamond Shamrock’s stock. Also in 1979, Bayer moved the headquarters of Helena Chemical Company to Memphis, Tennessee and took control of the management. In 1987, Bayer sold Helena Chemical to Marubeni America, who still owns and controls it today. Today, Helena Chemical Company’s motto is “People.. Product.. Knowledge..”. Helena feels that their success revolves around its people, who provide the correct combination of product based on knowledge of the customer’s business along with Helena’s interest to help extend and sustain success. Helena Chemical Company is broken down into four geographic business units, which are the Eastern Business