American Cyanamid - Organization

Organization

Cyanamid—as the company was commonly called—produced an immense range and variety of products. Its activities were organized into 11 Operating Divisions, whose names are suggestive of the products manufactured. They were Organic Chemicals (dyes, elastomers, melamine, desulferization catalysts, many others); Industrial Chemicals (paper chemicals, acrylic plastics, plastics additives, many others); Fibers (acrylic fibers), Pigments (titanium dioxide), Consumer Products (shampoos, perfumes and other fragrance products, household cleaners); Agricultural (animal feed additives, veterinary pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, pesticides, plant growth regulants, many others); Lederle Laboratories (antibiotics, vitamins, sutures, vaccines, many others); Formica Corp. (subsidiary, making decorative laminates and kitchen countertops, and pre-pasted vinyl wall coverings); Cyanamid of Canada (fertilizers, other products, and sale of US-made products in Canada); and Cyanamid International (sale of company products throughout the world).

Additionally, the company had several joint ventures, such as Jefferson Chemical (partner: Texaco) and CyRo Industries (partner: Rohm & Haas). There were also a number of smaller companies acquired over the years, such as an industrial safety products distributor and Bloomingdale Aerospace, which produced lightweight aircraft panels built on hexagonal core material.

In 1972, Cyanamid acquired a home building company, Ervin Industries, and invested heavily to expand that business over the next eight years. The company's thrust was Planned Unit Developments, or PUDs, which were housing developments built around private golf courses. Hence, Cyanamid became at one point the largest operator of golf courses in the USA. After sustaining losses in excess of $100 million, Cyanamid discontinued the business and sold the real estate and other assets.

The Operating Divisions had their own research activities, manufacturing facilities, and sales forces. Functions common to all divisions were organized and administered at the corporate level, by eight Service Divisions: Engineering and Construction (plant/process design and building); Transportation and Distribution (warehousing, shipment, logistics); Purchasing (sourcing raw materials and supplies); Personnel (hiring, compensation, compliance); Public Affairs (public relations, Washington office); Treasury (financial management); Controller (accounting, financial reporting); and Corporate Development and Planning (strategy, long-range planning, capital investment analysis, staff to the Executive Committee).