Dec 7, 1926 CE
ICI Founded
Imperial Chemical Industries is formed by the merger of Brunner Mond, Nobel Explosives, United Alkali Company, and British Dyestuffs Corporation. #history #business
Chronological Storyline (42 Milestones)
1927 CE
Lord McGowan Becomes Chairman
Sir Harry McGowan (later Lord McGowan) becomes chairman of ICI, leading the company through its early expansion. #leadership #history
1932 CE
Discovery of Perspex
ICI chemists Rowan and Crawford discover polymethyl methacrylate (Perspex), a clear plastic used in aircraft windows and signage. #innovation #chemistry )
By Bert Hickman - http://www.capturedlightning.com, Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=205440
1933 CE
Invention of Polyethylene
ICI researchers Eric Fawcett and Reginald Gibson accidentally discover polyethylene, the world's most common plastic. #plastic #discovery
By Lluis tgn - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12749082
1939 CE
ICI's Role in WWII
ICI becomes a key supplier of explosives, synthetic rubber, and penicillin to the British war effort. #war #industry
1944 CE
First Commercial Polyethylene Plant
ICI opens the world's first full-scale polyethylene plant at Wallerscote, ensuring large-scale production. #manufacturing #chemistry
1945 CE
McGowan Retires; William Coates Becomes Chairman
Lord McGowan steps down after nearly two decades; Sir William Coates takes over as chairman. #leadership #change
1948 CE
Launch of Terylene (Polyester)
ICI introduces Terylene, a polyester fibre developed by John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson. #textiles #innovation
By Minihaa - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=97213390
1952 CE
ICI Enters Pharmaceuticals
ICI's Pharmaceuticals Division is established, later developing beta-blockers and anticancer drugs. #pharma #health
1954 CE
First Commercial Polyurethane Production
ICI begins manufacturing polyurethanes, used in foams and coatings. #materials #chemistry
By Pieria(Uploader and Photographer), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=888027
1955 CE
Paul Chambers Becomes Chairman
Sir Paul Chambers takes over as chairman, leading ICI through a period of diversification and international growth. #leadership )
1957 CE
Discovery of Beta-Blockers
ICI scientist James Black synthesizes propranolol, the first beta-blocker for heart conditions. #medicine #discovery
By Ben Mills - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=128612286
1961 CE
ICI Acquires British Nylon Spinners
ICI takes full ownership of British Nylon Spinners, strengthening its synthetic fibres business. #acquisition #textiles
1962 CE
Launch of Inderal (Propranolol)
ICI launches Inderal, the first beta-blocker, which becomes a blockbuster drug. #pharma #innovation
1965 CE
ICI Americas Founded
ICI establishes ICI Americas Inc. to expand its presence in the United States. #expansion #global
1968 CE
First Commercial Use of 'ICI' Name in Agriculture
ICI's Plant Protection Division launches gramoxone (paraquat), a herbicide. #agrochemicals #agriculture
By Benjah-bmm27 - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1896847
1971 CE
Jack Callard Becomes Chairman
Sir Jack Callard succeeds Paul Chambers, focusing on petrochemicals and fibers. #leadership
1973 CE
Oil Crisis Impact
The 1973 oil crisis raises feedstock costs, squeezing ICI's petrochemical margins. #economics #crisis
By Isochrone - Own work using: Spot Crude Oil Price: West Texas Intermediate (WTI), Dollars per Barrel, Monthly, Not Seasonally Adjusted WTI Spot Crude Oil Price, via the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Inflation adjusted using: CPI Average, via the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156152880
1975 CE
Launch of Dulux Paint Brand
ICI's paint division rebrands its decorative paints under the Dulux name, later a global brand. #branding #paints
By Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Scalable Grid Engine - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87438616
1978 CE
Acquisition of Atlas Chemical Industries
ICI purchases the American specialty chemicals company Atlas Chemical, expanding in the US. #acquisition #expansion
1980 CE
John Harvey-Jones Becomes Chairman
John Harvey-Jones takes over as chairman, known for his radical restructuring and emphasis on efficiency. #leadership #change
By Shaggy359 at en.wikipedia - Own workTransferred from en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15722093
1982 CE
ICI Wins Queen's Award for Export
ICI receives the Queen's Award for Export Achievement, reflecting strong overseas sales. #award #export
1983 CE
Divestment of Non-Core Businesses
Harvey-Jones begins selling off ICI's peripheral businesses, including IMI and British Nylon Spinners. #restructuring #divestment
1985 CE
Launch of 'Profit Improvement Programme'
ICI implements a major cost-cutting and rationalization program to improve profitability. #management #efficiency
1987 CE
Acquisition of Stauffer Chemical
ICI acquires Stauffer Chemical Company, a US agrochemicals and specialty chemicals firm. #acquisition #agrochemicals
By Blair Pittman - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=168045884
1989 CE
ICI Sells Its Agrochem Business to Zeneca
ICI spins off its pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and specialty chemicals businesses into a new company, Zeneca. #spin-off #restructuring
1991 CE
Ronald Hampel Becomes Chairman
Ronald Hampel takes over as chairman, focusing on core chemicals and paints. #leadership
1993 CE
ICI Demerges Zeneca
The demerger of Zeneca is completed, creating a separate pharmaceuticals company. #demerger #pharma
1994 CE
Acquisition of Unilever's Specialty Chemicals
ICI buys Unilever's specialty chemicals business, including National Starch and Quest. #acquisition #specialty
1996 CE
Acquisition of Akzo Nobel's Coatings Business
ICI acquires the coatings business of Akzo Nobel, strengthening its paints portfolio. #acquisition #paints
1997 CE
Chief Executive Charles Miller Smith
Charles Miller Smith becomes CEO, driving further expansion in paints and specialty products. #leadership
1998 CE
Launch of 'ICI Global' Brand
ICI rebrands its paints division as ICI Paints and introduces the 'ICI Global' logo. #branding
2000 CE
Sale of ICI's Starch Business
ICI sells National Starch and Chemical to Akzo Nobel for €8.5 billion. #divestment #acquisition
By Unknown author - http://www.ingredionincorporated.com/content/dam/ingredion/pdf-downloads/corporate/Ingredion2015AnnualReport.pdf, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49361540
2002 CE
Sale of ICI's Regional Paints Brands
ICI sells several regional paints brands, including Glidden in the US, to PPG Industries. #divestment #paints )
By Glidden - https://www.recuerdosqueduran.com/historias, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116815203
2004 CE
Acquisition of Quest Fragrances
ICI sells its flavours and fragrances division, Quest International, to Givaudan. #divestment #fragrance
Jun 1, 2007 CE
AkzoNobel Makes Takeover Bid
AkzoNobel announces a £8.1 billion offer for ICI, following months of speculation. #acquisition #chemicals
By Ceescamel - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79307514
Dec 13, 2007 CE
ICI Agrees to AkzoNobel Bid
ICI's board recommends AkzoNobel's increased offer, valuing the company at £11.5 billion. #business #deal
Jan 2, 2008 CE
ICI Acquired by AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel completes its acquisition of ICI, ending the British company's independence. #acquisition #end
2008 CE
Integration into AkzoNobel
ICI's paints and decorative coatings businesses are integrated into AkzoNobel's operations; the ICI brand is phased out. #integration #brand
2010 CE
Last Remaining ICI Sites Sold
AkzoNobel sells the former ICI headquarters at Millbank and other legacy sites. #realestate #legacy
2012 CE
ICI Pension Scheme Issues
The ICI Pension Scheme faces a deficit, leading to a restructuring agreement with AkzoNobel. #finance #pension
2013 CE
Final Demerger of ICI Assets
AkzoNobel completes the divestiture of most former ICI specialty chemical assets, leaving only the paints business. #divestment #chemicals