W. R. Grace and Company: A Specialty Chemical Company

W. R. Grace and Company employs more than 6,700 employees in 40 countries. This Columbia, Maryland-based company is registered as a chemical conglomerate and generates more than $2.5 billion in annual revenue.

The operations of the business are divided into three segments: Grace Construction Products, Grace Catalysts Technologies and Grace Materials Technologies. They produce Raney nickel, concrete pigments, concrete admixtures, air and vapor barriers, fireproofing materials and those coatings that are used in soft drink cans and canned foods. Some of the products they manufacture are also certified kosher free. The specialty chemicals that they market are used by various industries, especially in the construction and can manufacturing businesses.

It was in Peru that the business got started by William Russell Grace in 1854. Back then, he worked as a ship’s chandler for Bryce and Company. His company initially started as a shipping business that transported guano and sugar from Peru to North America.