Plans pay off for Rohm and Haas: acquisitions of Morton and LeaRonal, if done right, will transform the company into a leader of the U.S. chemical industry

Specialty chemical company Rohm and Haas has completed two acquisitions. The traditionally conservative firm purchased LeaRonal Inc. and Morton International Inc. just six months after the new CEO and president were appointed. The company is expected to hold on to Morton's salt holdings, as the company is the largest producer in North America. Sales for Rohm and Haas are predicted to rise from $3.7 billion in 1998 to $6.5 billion in 1999 as a rsult of the acquisitions.