- Great American Business Leaders of the Twentieth Century
J. Peter Grace
W. R. Grace and Company
1945 - 1992
Chemicals & Industrial
b. 1913
| Education |  |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Yale University |
| Personal | |
|---|---|
| Born-Died | 1913 - 1995 |
| Birthplace | New York (NY) |
| Race | White |
| Father | Head, Same Company |
Grace dramatically grew the company through massive diversification efforts. In 1950, Latin American operations brought in 60% of W.R. Grace & Company sales. Grace’s diversification efforts decreased the above percentage to only 19% by 1962. Chemicals, on the other hand went from 6% of sales in 1950 to 55% in 1977 as the company became the fifth largest producer of chemicals in the U.S. Grace grew his company into a diversified industrial complex including restaurants, sporting good stores, and auto parts companies.