The chief executive officer (CEO) of a small chemical manufacturing operation is assessing his company's performance. Students are required to: (1) perform an industry and corporate size-up, (2) do competitor and consumer analyses, (3) complete and interpret a statement of cash flows, (4) calculate and analyze ratios, (5) perform qualitative analyses of both the chemical department and the sales department, (6) perform qualitative analysis and .....more

The chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of YM Biosciences (YM), was preparing for the upcoming board meeting. During this meeting several items of strategic importance would be discussed. Two potential acquisitions were being contemplated. In order to prepare for this meeting, the chairman would have to assess the strategic impact of each of the potential acquisitions and the way in which the acquisitions should be conducted.

The vice-president, government and corporate affairs, must prepare an action plan outlining how the company will communicate the phase-out of its entire manufacturing operation. The phase-out would directly affect the jobs of 217 unionized employees. He knows that because the market would now be supplied primarily from plants in the United States, the union, politicians, and the press would impute the phase-out to the Free Trade Agreement. Such accusations .....more

Albright & Wilson Americas is a phosphate manufacturer. They have information that urban phosphates are no longer the problem they were in the 1960s and 1970s. The introduction of Loblaws' "phosphate free" detergent, has created a concern that it, and possible competitive entries, will create even more negative attitudes towards phosphates. They are trying to decide what actions, if any, they can take to bring more current information .....more

In this supplement to American Cyanamid, product 9B04M006, the executive vice-president of agriculture has taken over the chemical division and renamed it Cytec Industries Inc. He took the company public, and working with an underperforming division, narrowed the scope to focus on key profitable segments and in just a few years had increased its market value by 11 times.

For 17 years an entrepreneur has been running a niche business of designing and manufacturing a chemical processing system to dispose of deadly cyanide wastes. His system is expensive compared to the main competitive disposal systems of giant leeching ponds and deep well disposal. Thus his main successes have come with the electroplating industry which is not growing. His hopes to get outside this industry are dashed when the promised new materials .....more

Delex Therapeutics Inc. researches and develops drug delivery methods - specifically in pain management - called rapid onset and sustained effect delivery system. The company is seeking funds to support its research and development. A partner at a venture firm that focuses on companies in the health care and biotechnology sectors must assess the investment merits of Delex Therapeutics as it embarks on phase II clinical trials.

BLES Biochemicals Inc. is a research and development company that specializes in natural surfactants. After many years of trying, the president has finally obtained approval for the company's only product, BLES. The product is used to help premature babies suffering from respiratory distress syndrome - without it, they could die. The company had been allowed to sell the product in advance of receiving the approval but with the news of receiving .....more

This is a supplement to BLES Biochemicals Inc. (A), product 9B03M026. The (A) case explores the growth options available to a new biotech company with a revolutionary drug for premature infants. There seems to be a significant potential for international growth. The (B) case takes place six months later when the president of the company obtains new data concerning market size projections, technological advances and competitor actions that require .....more

Throughout the world, pharmaceutical companies were merging in order to achieve economies of scale in all of their activities, from research and product development through to distribution and marketing. While BioChem had several successful products and a track record of rapid expansion, nevertheless, in this new global environment it was now necessary for BioChem to achieve economies of scale through a consolidation of some type. The U.K. firm Shire .....more