Chemtura

CHEMTURA ANNOUNCES RESTRUCTURING TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, ACCELERATE GROWTH, BETTER SERVE CUSTOMERS

Chemtura Corporation (NYSE: CEM) announced that it is implementing an industry-based business model in order to improve performance and accelerate growth. By focusing on end-use markets, Chemtura believes it will be better able to serve current customer needs, anticipate their future requirements and target rapidly growing industry segments.

Chemtura will simplify its financial reporting structure from the current six units to four, each led by a group president:

• Polymer Additives, which will include the former Plastic Additives and Flame Retardants business units and will be led by Anne Noonan;

• Performance Specialties, which will include the former Petroleum Additives, Urethanes, Optical Monomers and Fluorine Specialties and will be led by Bob Wedinger;

• Consumer Products, led in the interim by Kim Nicholson; and

• Crop Protection, led in the interim by Greg McDaniel.

By redirecting our commercial emphasis to the end-use priorities of our customers, Chemtura will better leverage the considerable technical and applications expertise that already defines its leadership positions in flame retardants, urethanes, lubricant additives, crop protection, recreational water purification and numerous additives used in the processing of polymers. Our commitment to industry specialization will improve existing customer-supplier partnership, and enhance our preparedness to meet rapidly changing industry demands in the future.

The new organizational and reporting structure streamlines leadership and decision making while giving each business better accessibility to the tools they need to succeed and more direct accountability for results. Each business will have responsibility for its own production facilities, operational and financial forecasting, sourcing decisions, process excellence initiatives, and technical development efforts.

"We are excited about the impact we expect these changes to have on our growth prospects and long-term competitive position," said Robert Wood, chairman and chief executive officer. "As we evolve from a functional to an industry-focused commercial organization, we will present a more coordinated face to customers and have better insight into their current and future needs. The marketplace has been very clear in defining what constitutes a preferred, valued-added supplier and our business leaders will be accountable for partnering with customers to meet those demanding standards.

Organizational streamlining is expected to result in a reduction of the company's global workforce by approximately 10 percent (620 positions), resulting in an annualized cost reduction of approximately $50 million beginning in 2008. The company expects to record charges related to the restructuring in the range of $25-$35 million. Most affected personnel are expected to be notified by the end of the second quarter.

Reader enquiries

Chemtura Corporation
199 Benson Road
Middlebury, CT 06749
U.S.A.

+1 203 573 2220

www.chemtura.com


Notes for editors


About Chemtura Corporation

Chemtura Corporation (NYSE:CEM) was created in 2005 by combining the resources of Crompton and Great Lakes Chemical Corporations. With 2006 sales of $3.5 billion, Chemtura is a global manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals, crop protection and pool, spa and home care products.

Please visit www.chemtura.com.

Editorial enquiries

Janet Gilboy
Chemtura Corporation

+44 161 875 3229

janet.gilboy@​chemtura.com

Paulien Boumans
EMG

+31 164 317 015

pboumans@​emg-marcom.com

成俊杰-Jacky Cheng
EMG China

(86-21)5887 8007 ext. 108

jcheng@​emgchina.com

 

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