Chemical makers must learn to "shape the future" in an uncertain global climate, says Andersen Consulting.

PINEHURST, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1996--Senior executives from leading global chemical companies, including Dow, DuPont, BASF, and Hoechst, are gathering here September 9-11, to tackle tough global issues at the Andersen Consulting/Chemical Week Chemical Industry Executive Forum called "Shaping the Future or Defending the Past?"

"Over the course of two-and-one-half days, we're bringing together industry experts, visionaries and peers to address how chemical makers can compete more effectively in a global market filled with ever-increasing change and complexity," said Dave Crow, Worldwide Managing Partner of Andersen Consulting's chemical industry practice. "Top executives will have an opportunity to meet and discuss the most critical industry issues with their peers in focused break out sessions, in groups, and by sharing ideas in panel discussions."

During the course of the conference, participants will discuss:

Dealing With Industry Uncertainties: Global economic forces are shaping the future of the chemical industry. The free flow of capital across borders and the resulting impact on international trade opportunities is changing the rules of competition. Dr. Rudi Dornbusch, Ford Professor of International Economics, MIT and Peter Schwartz, renowned futurist and President of the Global Business Network will lead the discussions.

Can You Be Virtual? Chemical makers will discuss the increasing role of technology and its effect on their organizations' competitiveness. The range of opportunities to use emerging technologies, from electronic commerce to the global virtualization of the industry, will be explored. Presenters are Rudy Puryear, Managing Partner, Information and Technology Strategy, Andersen Consulting; Cinda Hallman, Vice President of Information Systems and CIO, DuPont; and Mathew Appel, President of Tenneco Business Services.

Taking On Critical Change: Today's executives must have the determination to drive change through their organization and increase their company's agility before this change is forced upon them from the outside world. Author Daryl Conner and Robert Woods, President of Zeneca Agricultural Products, will describe how corporations can meet the challenges of major change initiatives by building organizational resilience to assimilate change and make it stick.

What It Really Means to Go Global: Customers and suppliers can work together to grow their enterprises and penetrate new markets if they form close strategic supplier/customer relationships. John Pepper, Chairman and CEO of Procter and Gamble will discuss untapped opportunities that exist for chemical companies to become partners with their customers on a global scale. Fernand Kaufman, Vice President, Strategic Development and New Business, Dow Chemical, will discuss his vision of the power of a global business operating model.

Although the industry as a whole continues to be shaped by restructuring, mergers and joint ventures, companies that seek to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage are recognizing that having a global presence and becoming a truly global organization are quite different.

Andersen Consulting is a $4.22 billion global management and technology consulting organization whose mission is to help its clients change to be more successful. The organization works with clients from a wide range of industries to link their people, processes and technologies to their strategies. Andersen Consulting has more than 41,000 persons in 47 countries.

CONTACT: Andersen Consulting

Rebecca L. Hayne, 312-507-7063

rebecca.l.hayne @ac.com