Grace Ranked as Top Five Business in Maryland

W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE:GRA) has received the P&B Exceptional 53 Award from The Gazette of Politics and Business and been ranked as the second best company in Maryland based on financial performance, innovation, work environment and community outreach.

Grace has more than 1,000 employees throughout the state, working at the company’s global headquarters, research and technical service centers, and manufacturing and warehouse operations.

“We are proud to receive this award and to be ranked among the state’s exceptional businesses,” commented Pamela Wagoner, Grace’s Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. “We are committed to supporting our customers with innovative products and to aiding our communities with outreach and dedicated volunteerism.”

Ms. Wagoner continued, “We take our role in supporting our most valuable resource—our people—very seriously. By creating a culture of safety, wellness and continuous learning, we will benefit as individuals, as members of our community and as a company.”

Among the reasons for the distinction, the newspaper noted Grace’s innovation pipeline, specifically, the development of a refining catalyst (sold under the brand name MIDAS® 300) that helps petroleum refiners meet worldwide demand for diesel fuel and comply with regulations for lower sulfur fuels.

The publication also recognized the unique benefits Grace employees have access to, such as free onsite medical offices that provide flu shots and annual physicals; a tuition reimbursement program and college scholarships available to employees’ children.

In terms of community outreach, Grace was spotlighted for its charitable giving and employee volunteerism. In 2009, Grace fulfilled a $1 million commitment to Howard County General Hospital in Maryland and pledged an additional $250,000. In the past year, the company and its employees donated nearly $150,000 to the American Red Cross for earthquake relief in Haiti and Chile. Employees also regularly donate thousands of hours to a range of non-profit agencies, host tours of the company’s research facilities and guest lecture at schools to spur an interest in chemistry among students.

Grace is a frequent award recipient for its operations in Maryland. Other distinctions earned in 2010 include Healthy Workplace Award from the State of Maryland's Howard County Department of Health for well-being activities and resources; Caregiver Friendly Workplace Award from the Howard County Commission on Aging for programs that help employees manage responsibilities for older relatives and support senior citizens in the community; Family-Friendly Business Honoree from the Howard County Office of Children's Services for volunteerism and financial contributions that support kids; Responsible Care® Facility Safety Certificate for achievements in safety performance and Responsible Care® Energy Efficiency Award for efforts to reduce natural gas and electricity usage, both from the American Chemistry Council; and Corporate Citizen Award from the American Red Cross of Central Maryland for making a “significant improvement in the life of the community.”

Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts and other products to petroleum refiners; catalysts for the manufacture of plastics; silica-based engineered and specialty materials for a wide range of industrial applications; sealants and coatings for food and beverage packaging, and specialty chemicals, additives and building materials for commercial and residential construction. Founded in 1854, Grace has operations in over 40 countries. For more information, visit Grace's web site at www.grace.com.

Responsible Care® is a trademark, registered in the United States and/or other countries by American Chemistry Council.