| BASF |
3000 Continental Drive North,
Mt. Olive,
NJ
07828-1234 |
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www.basf.com
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(973) 426-2600
Fax: (973) 426-2610
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The BASF group is the second-largest maker of chemicals in the world. The U.S. corporation handles the transnational business within U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It makes everything from paints to plastics and even manufactures vitamins and agricultural products. The company is divided into five divisions: consumer products and life science, chemicals, polymers, coatings and colorants, and fiber products. BASF currently does more than $6 billion of business in the U.S. alone and the increasing demand for its products suggests that its sales figures are heading even higher.
The company's world headquarters are in Germany, where it was founded in 1861. During the 1990s BASF has focused on expanding its European natural gas business, which revolves around the Siberian gas pipeline that it operates. The company has also looked to Asia for further growth; it is the largest foreign chemical industry investor there. BASF also plans to be a major beneficiary of the North American Free Trade Agreement and is building new major facilities in Texas and Mexico.
BASF is acquiring smaller companies in an effort to expand many of its core businesses. In recent months, it has made moves to enhance its crop protection, paper chemicals, and biotechnology offerings. Its biggest purchase was a $3.8 billion deal for American Home Productss' Cyanamid crop protection unit. BASF has also begun restructuring its pharmaceutical unit as it looks to increase that divisions' profits. BASF has also been on a building spree which includes new plants and technology centers in Worcester, MA and Morganton, NC.
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BASF accepts resumes both by fax (419-425-0177, Attention: BINSAF) and by e-mail (basf@ssihiringsolutions.com). The company's employment Web page, located at www.basf.com/careers, lists some (but not all) of the company's openings. With its emphasis on global trade, BASF favors applicants who have international experience and/or foreign language proficiency, particularly in Chinese, German, or Spanish. BASF also recruits prospective employees through referrals and college recruiting (Penn State is a favorite school for logistics people). The company's Professional Development Program (PDF) which allows recent college graduates to gain experience via "a series of rotational assignments which are disciplined focused and facilitate the development of technical and professional decision-making skills" according to the company Web site. BASF also recently started a policy for awarding "bounties" to employees for referring people who are hired for certain positions.
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Pratice makes perfect
BASF helps its employees get ahead with everything from "superb" office equipment to advanced computer training to foreign language classes. "BASF offers in-house training and will pay for any outside schooling leading to a degree or certificate," says one employee. The development path at BASF sets the company apart; it often promotes employees "horizontally" rather than "vertically." One employee explains that "in the long run, a horizontal promotion creates a better, more well-rounded career." Management and finance employees, in addition, benefit from exposure to international business deals from their early stages of their BASF careers.
A place for both health nuts and smokers
BASF employees also appreciate the "beautiful setting" of the company's New Jersey headquarters. "The building is nestled in an all woods/forest environment, meaning all you see are trees and grass when looking out the windows," says one employee. And in case you get that exercise urge, "there are plenty of walking paths if you like taking walks or jogging at lunch. There are showers if you prefer jogging." Workers also praise the "relaxed, informal" atmosphere in which everyone is on a "first-name basis." Smokers can also relax on the company grounds, but bring a coat. "You can take as many smoking breaks you want, but you have to be reasonable," says an insider. "We have three places to smoke, they look like bus stop stations, enclosed glass little buildings with one door, no heat." BASF also has a "huge cafeteria with many selections so you will not be bored with the menu."
Conservative with pockets of progressive
Employees describe the culture at BASF headquarters as "conservative" with shirts and ties required for most of the week. Although Fridays are considered casual, there are "no jeans or sneakers/tennis shoes." Hours are usually from 7:30 -9 in the morning to 3:30-5:30 in the afternoon. Says one insider, "we have policies which permit alternate work schedules including summer hours (work longer days 4 days a week and half day on Fridays.)" As for diversity, the company has a Women and Business Issues group "both at the corporate and site levels that helps management identify and promote diversity." "I understand we are in the process of establishing a Career Development function which will have a diversity component," says an insider.
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Human Resources
Chemicals;Coatings & Colorants;Consumer Products & Life Science;Oil & Gas;Fiber Products;Polymers
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