Allied Corporation
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemical, Aerospace, Automotive, Oil and gas |
| Predecessor | Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation |
| Founded | 1920 |
| Founder | Eugene Meyer, William Henry Nichols |
| Fate | Merged with The Signal Companies to form AlliedSignal in 1985 |
| Headquarters | Morristown , United States |
Key people | Henry Francis Atherton (President 1934–1946, Chairman until 1949), John T. Connor (CEO) |
| Products | Chemicals, synthetic ammonia, Nylon 6, refrigerants, plastic tableware, aerospace and automotive products, oil and gas exploration |
Allied Corp. was a prominent American enterprise involved 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 united five chemical companies with a combined capitalization of $175 million. These firms included Barrett Chemical, General Chemical, National Aniline & Chemical, Semet-Solvay, and Solvay Process Company. Production operations were concentrated in Buffalo, New York, with a focus on enhancing wartime chemical manufacturing techniques.
In 1928, Allied broadened its market presence by constructing a synthetic ammonia facility near Hopewell, Virginia, which became the largest ammonia producer worldwide. The National Aniline and Chemical Works, created in 1917 through mergers involving Schoellkopf Aniline and Chemical and Beckers Aniline and Chemical, contributed significant assets and leadership figures such as Jacob F. Schoellkopf Jr. Among Allied’s executives was Henry Francis Atherton, who held the presidency from 1934 to 1946 and served as chairman until his passing in 1949.
The company adopted the name Allied Chemical Corporation in 1958 as it diversified into oil and gas exploration, later shortening its name to Allied Corporation in 1981. In 1985, it merged with The Signal Companies to form AlliedSignal, which subsequently acquired Honeywell in 1999 and assumed its name.
History
During World War I, the predominance of German chemical production led to shortages of vital materials such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, and ammonia—key components for fertilizers and explosives—prompting the creation of Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation to secure American supply chains.
Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation
Founded by entrepreneur Eugene Meyer alongside business leader William Henry Nichols in 1920, Allied consolidated five major chemical companies to reinforce the United States’ industrial capabilities. This merger facilitated cost efficiencies and advancements in chemical manufacturing.
National Aniline & Chemical Works originated from a 1917 consolidation that included Schoellkopf Aniline and Chemical, Beckers Aniline and Chemical, Benzol Products Company, as well as facilities from Semet-Solvay and others specializing in coal tar intermediates. Leadership figures included Jacob F. Schoellkopf Jr., C.P. Hugo Schoellkopf, I.F. Stone, and Dr. William G. Beckers.
Henry Francis Atherton was instrumental as Secretary of National Aniline before ascending to president of Allied (1934–1946) and chairman (1935–1949), steering significant development during critical times.
Allied Chemical Corporation
Following World War II, Allied expanded its product portfolio to incorporate Nylon 6, refrigerants, and plastic tableware. Reflecting this broadened scope, the company rebranded as Allied Chemical Corporation in 1958 and moved its headquarters to Morristown, New Jersey.
In 1962, Allied acquired Union Texas Natural Gas initially to secure raw material supplies vertically. Under CEO John T. Connor—former U.S. Secretary of Commerce—the firm divested underperforming divisions during the 1970s while intensifying its focus on oil and gas exploration. By 1979, Union Texas represented 80% of Allied’s total revenue.
Between 1978 and 1979, Allied sponsored the public television program The MacNeil/Lehrer Report, illustrating its involvement in strategic brand positioning initiatives.
Allied Corp.
In 1981, the company adopted the name Allied Corporation as part of its strategy to broaden its business scope.
Two years later, in 1983, Allied purchased Bendix Corporation, a company specializing in aerospace and automotive industries. By 1984, Bendix accounted for half of Allied’s revenue, while the oil and gas sector made up 38%, highlighting a well-distributed industry portfolio.
AlliedSignal
The year 1985 marked the merger between Allied and Signal Companies, resulting in the creation of AlliedSignal. This merger significantly enhanced the company’s presence in both aerospace and industrial markets. In 1999, AlliedSignal acquired Honeywell and subsequently took on the Honeywell name to capitalize on its established brand recognition and market strength.