Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemical, aerospace, automotive, oil and gas |
| Predecessor | Barrett Chemical Company, The General Chemical Company, National Aniline & Chemical Company, Semet-Solvay Company, Solvay Process Company |
| Founded | 1920 |
| Founder | Eugene Meyer, William Henry Nichols |
| Headquarters | Morristown , United States |
| Products | Chemicals, synthetic ammonia, Nylon 6, refrigerants, plastic dinnerware, aerospace and automotive products |
| Parent | AlliedSignal (after 1985 merger) |
Allied Corp. was a prominent American enterprise engaged in the chemical, aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas sectors. Established in 1920 under the name Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation by financier Eugene Meyer and chemist William Henry Nichols, it merged five chemical firms with an initial capitalization of $175 million. These companies were Barrett Chemical Company, The General Chemical Company, National Aniline & Chemical Company, Semet-Solvay Company, and Solvay Process Company. Production operations were mainly based in Buffalo, New York.
The company’s early efforts concentrated on remedying shortages of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and ammonia—substances essential for fertilizer and explosive manufacturing during World War I. In 1928, Allied constructed a synthetic ammonia facility near Hopewell, Virginia, which became the largest producer globally.
National Aniline & Chemical Works was created in 1917 through the consolidation of Schoellkopf Aniline and Chemical, Beckers Aniline and Chemical, and Benzol Products Company. This merger contributed significant assets and leadership personnel such as Jacob F. Schoellkopf Jr. Henry Francis Atherton held the roles of Allied’s president from 1934 to 1946 and chairman from 1935 to 1949, guiding the company through important expansion stages.
In 1958, reflecting its diversification into oil and gas exploration activities, the firm changed its name to Allied Chemical Corporation. It later became Allied Corporation in 1981 before merging with Signal Companies in 1985 to create AlliedSignal. This entity eventually acquired Honeywell in 1999 and adopted Honeywell’s name.
Allied Chemical Corporation
Following World War II, Allied broadened its product range by incorporating Nylon 6, refrigerants, and plastic dinnerware into its offerings. To mirror this diversification, it rebranded as Allied Chemical Corporation in 1958 and moved its headquarters to Morristown, New Jersey.
In 1962, Allied purchased Union Texas Natural Gas as part of a vertical integration strategy aimed at securing raw material supplies. Under the leadership of CEO John T. Connor, a former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the company divested underperforming divisions during the 1970s and increasingly concentrated on oil and gas exploration. By 1979, Union Texas accounted for approximately 80% of Allied’s total revenue.
From 1978 to 1979, Allied sponsored the public television program The MacNeil/Lehrer Report.
Allied Corp.
To pursue wider diversification goals, the company adopted the name Allied Corporation in 1981.
In 1983, it acquired Bendix Corporation, expanding its presence within aerospace and automotive industries. By 1984, Bendix represented half of Allied’s earnings while oil and gas contributed about 38%.
Between 1964 and 1984, rolling stock owned by Allied Chemical on North American rail networks carried the reporting mark "NLX."
In 1985, Allied provided funding for the PBS science series Nova.
AlliedSignal
The merger of Allied with Signal Companies in 1985 resulted in the formation of AlliedSignal. The company continued to grow through acquisitions, culminating in the purchase of Honeywell in 1999 and adopting Honeywell’s brand name to strengthen its position in aerospace and technology markets.
See also
- British Dyestuffs Corporation
- IG Farben
- United Alkali Company