DuPont CEO slams news media over reports of coatings business sale

13 December 2011 16:38  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman on Tuesday criticised news media outlets for reporting of what she said were rumours and speculation that the company planned to sell chemical coatings business.

Kullman would not confirm or deny such plans.

“I think this [reporting] is terrible,” Kullman told analysts during a webcast investor event.

“Quite frankly, I am a little appalled about the […] responsibility of certain, you know, media outlets,” she said in responding to an analyst who was seeking her comment about the future of the coatings business.

“You know, I go to places and some people say, ‘Hey, I saw your announcement’, when obviously we did not make one,” she said.

Kullman said DuPont was putting all of its 13 businesses to a “rigorous portfolio process,” with very clear goals for each business, “and we expect them to meet them.”

“I love all my children equally, until I don’t love them. That does bother my own children, but in business it seems to work,” Kullman said.

“Time will tell” about any disposals DuPont may or may not decide on, she added.

In October, a newswire service reported that DuPont was seeking buyers for its performance coatings division.

For more on DuPont and other producers visit ICIS company intelligence

By: Stefan Baumgarten
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