Charles Holliday
Charles Holliday
Charles Otis "Chad" Holliday, Jr., is an American businessman, former chairman of Bank of America and former chairman, former chief executive officer and a former director of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. He is chairman emeritus of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness and chairman of the Business Roundtable's Task Force for Environment, Technology and Economy. Holliday is also a founding member of the International Business Council and serves on the board of advisors of the Nicholas Institute...
actions continue despite difficult economic emerge global hope material movements necessary offer prices raw recent spreading stronger
Recent movements in long-leading economic indicators and in raw material prices offer hope that an end to the spreading global downturn is in sight, ... Despite that, we continue to take actions necessary to emerge from these difficult times as a much stronger company.
higher prices
Ultimately, it will be higher prices for the consumer.
dominates impact pervasive
The pervasive impact of e-commerce dominates the discussion,
annual continue drive earnings percent
We will continue to drive for at least 10 to 12 percent annual earnings growth.
across assets committed costs delivered difficult encouraged environment expected fully growing improving knew operating people performance pleased return
We knew it would be a difficult operating environment in the first quarter, and I am very encouraged by the better than expected performance of our company. I am especially pleased with how our people delivered these results. We are fully committed to growing revenue, controlling costs and improving return on assets across all of our businesses.
businesses designed ensure future health improve plan profitable
This transformation plan is designed not only to improve the short-term health of these businesses but also to ensure a future of sustainable, profitable growth.
asian challenges effects expect faced financial general growing quarter second slowing strike volumes
We expect the challenges we faced in the second quarter to continue, exacerbated by slowing volumes from the growing effects of the General Motors strike and the Asian financial crisis.
business conditions difficult half recent
Business conditions in the first half have been some of the most difficult that we have experienced in recent years,
conclude expect given success
Given the success of our discussions to date, we expect to be able to conclude one or more of these alliances by the end of this year,
businesses costs delivering double earnings european higher material performed raw spite strategic weak
Most of our businesses performed exceptionally well in spite of higher raw material costs and weak European currencies, with 11 of 18 strategic business units delivering double digit earnings growth,
bringing thrust
Our thrust is to keep bringing out new products,
ability combined continued contribute costs currency cycle economy favorable focus global growth low lower material price quarters raw results several view volume weather
Our view of the global economy suggests several more quarters of low volume growth and continued price pressure, ... Lower raw material costs and more favorable currency comparison. combined with results from our productivity focus should all contribute to our ability to weather this cycle more favorably than in the past.
actions base business crop difficult enable necessary parts protection provide stronger support
These difficult but necessary actions will enable the crop protection business to provide an even stronger base in support of the other parts of our agricultural enterprise.
affected chemicals customers demand economic industries reduced
Industries important to many of our customers -- electronics, automotive, textiles and chemicals -- have been particularly affected by the economic downturn, ... This has temporarily reduced fundamental demand for our products.