As a global specialty chemical company, we recognize that our reach extends well beyond the customers we serve. We acknowledge our responsibility in earning the trust of millions of people around the world who are touched by our presence or our products.
Grace is connected and available to neighbors and leaders of the communities where we operate. We make a special effort to introduce ourselves to communities when we acquire new facilities and connect with leaders when we exit a business or a facility. We have been active in some communities for many years: over a century in Baltimore's Curtis Bay area; since the 1950s in Lake Charles, LA and Valleyfield, Quebec; since the mid-1960s in Chattanooga, TN; since the early 1970s in Worms, Germany and Sorocaba, Brazil; since the early 1980s in Aiken, SC; since the 1990s in Kuantan, Malaysia. Grace has continued to expand our global footprint since then and is proud to be an active partner with the communities in which we operate.
As you would expect, our employees are members of the communities where we operate. They are active as individuals and as Grace employees in making these communities better. Grace supports their efforts through the W. R. Grace Foundation (in the U.S.) and with charitable support through our various facilities abroad.