Labors of a Modern Hercules

Labors of a Modern Hercules traces the evolution of the Hercules Corporation from its beginnings as a small maker of explosives to its current status as a multimillion dollar, multinational chemical company. More than a business history, the Hercules story provides valuable insight into the dynamics of the chemical industry & the growth of individual firms throughout the 20th century. The chemical industry is more diversified, global, capital intensive, & technology driven than any other major industry. As a result, it has led the way in the development of modern corporate strategies & management techniques. Hercules' evolution can be seen as a paradigm for the development of the modern manufacturing corporation: growth through vertical integration & diversification; increased emphasis on research & development; gradual penetration of foreign markets; the move from a centralized to decentralized organization; formation of joint ventures with foreign-based producers; & heavy use of information technology to streamline management & operations. Labors of a Modern Hercules describes the succession of challenges the company faced throughout its history: the move from being a mixer of explosives to a maker of chemicals, the challenges & demands of two world wars, the postwar problems of growth & diversification, the oil crises of the 1970s, & the strategies it pursued in response to each challenge provide valuable lessons for business planners. In an ever-changing industry, companies must be flexible, fast-moving, & innovative to be able to adapt to new realities.