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SecondCase StudyAnalysis—UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
Second Case Study Analysis—United Technologies Diversification Strategies
Ardavan A. Shahroodi
Northeastern University
LDR 6140—Developing the Strategic Leader
Professor W. Joseph Condon
Saturday, November 15, 2014
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
Introduction
In the first section of this Case Study Analysis, United Technologies Corporation’s
history, development, growth, mission and financials are discussed. The next section of this
paper is devoted to the strategic analysis of United Technologies that includes a review of the
company’s performance with respect to Michael Porter’s Five Forces Model framework. In the
last section of this Case Study Analysis attention is focused on analyzing United Technologies’
unrelated diversification strategy. The final section also includes an appraisal of the company’s
operating system titled Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE). This Case Study Analysis has
reached the conclusion that United Technologies is a highly efficient corporate entity that
methodically leverages its superior innovative technology and process efficiencies in order to
create sustainable value and thereby gain and preserve competitive advantage in the marketplace.
In this light, United Technologies relentlessly brings unity of purpose and common standards
across its many divisions through a faithful and systematic implementation of its ACE operating
system. The recommendation of this Case Study Analysis is for United Technologies to
continue improving its ACE operating systems in order to withstand future competitive
challenges.
United Technologies Corporation’s History, Development, Growth, Mission and Financials
United Technologies Corporation (UTC) (UTX) has a long history that has evolved under
different names and formations from as early as 1925. In that year, Fred Rentschler started the
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company “as one of the first companies to specialize in the
manufacture of engines, or power plants for airframe builders” (United Technologies
Corporation, History, Business Insights: Essentials, Gale Resources). Pratt & Whitney and its
two major customers Boeing and Vought eventually merged in 1929 in order to create a new
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
corporation called the “United Aircraft and Transportation Company” (History, Business
Insights: Essentials). In time, this new company came to include Sikorsky, Northrop, Hamilton,
Standard and other entities such as “Boeing’s airline companies” (History, Business Insights:
Essentials). Nevertheless, in 1934, the U.S. government due to concerns that the composition of
the United Aircraft and Transportation Company lends it to be a monopoly and therefore “anti-
competitive” (Roth, 2010, p. 3) ordered its separation into a number of distinct businesses.
In the resulting corporate arrangements, all the “manufacturing interests west of the
Mississippi went to Boeing Airplane in Seattle, everything east of the river went to Rentschler’s
United Aircraft in Hartford, and the transport services became a third independent company
under the name of United Air Lines, which was based in Chicago” (History, Business Insights:
Essentials). In the ensuing years, United Aircraft Company which included Pratt & Whitney,
Sikorsky and a number of other units contributed significantly to the U.S. campaign in WWII
with its Pratt & Whitney division producing “several hundred thousand engines for airplanes
built by Boeing, Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, Grumman and Vought” (History, Business
Insights: Essentials). Here, Pratt & Whitney actually built “over half the engines in American
planes” in service during WWII (History, Business Insights: Essentials). After the war and into
the 1950s, Pratt & Whitney competed with General electric and Westinghouse in the design and
construction of jet engines. In the 1960s, the parent company, United Aircraft “continued to
manufacture engines and a variety of other aircraft accessories” (History, Business Insights:
Essentials) with a large quantity of work being performed for Boeing that “had several Pentagon
contracts and whose 700-series jets were capturing 60 percent of the commercial airline market”
(History, Business Insights: Essentials).
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
United Aircraft Company’s main business operations involved “aerospace and defense
industries until the mid-1970s” (Roth, 2010, p. 3) when it purchased Otis Elevator in 1975 and
changed its name during the same year to United Technologies Corporation in order to “
emphasize the diversification of the company’s business” (History, Business Insights:
Essentials). Here, in the early 1970s, United Aircraft had experienced lower profits due to the
poor “performance of the Pratt & Whitney division” (History, Business Insights: Essentials) and
consequently the new president, Harry Gray “sought to reduce United Aircraft’s dependence on
the Pentagon and began a purchasing program in an effort to diversify the business” (History,
Business Insights: Essentials). In this light, Gray who was shortly named the CEO and the
chairman facilitated the purchasing of a number of other companies including the Carrier
Corporation in 1983 and continued in diversifying the company “away from aerospace and
defense” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). Gray’s rein proved to be very successful for
United technologies with sales that “amounted to $2 Billion” (History, Business Insights:
Essentials) at the time of his appointment being raised to “$16 Billion” (History, Business
Insights: Essentials) in 1986.
In the 1980s, United Technologies held “four principal divisions: Power Products,
including aircraft engines…Flight Systems, which manufactured helicopters…Building Systems,
encompassing the businesses of Otis and Carrier…Industrial Products, which produced various
automotive parts” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). In the late 1980s and early 1990s,
with the collapse of the Soviet Union, “public pressure to cut domestic defense budgets”
(History, Business Insights: Essentials) and a “downturn in the commercial airline industry,
intense global competition, and a worldwide recession” (History, Business Insights: Essentials),
United Technologies faced poor financial performance. In addition, this period also witnessed a
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
“saturation of the commercial real estate market” (History, Business Insights: Essentials) that
lowered the demand for the products of “UTC’s Otis and Carrier subsidiaries” (History, Business
Insights: Essentials).
In this poor performance environment, the new CEO, Robert Danieli brought George
David “who had been instrumental in the revival of both the Otis and Carrier units, on board as
UTC president” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). David who also eventually became the
CEO in 1994, instituted a number of downsizing actions and reforms that “focused on
manufacturing, with the goals of shortening lead times, reducing capacity, and expediting
processes” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). David’s actions did bore fruit and United
Technologies “quadrupled… [its] earnings per share, and in the first 6 months of 1994 profit
grew by 25% to $1.4 Billion, while sales increased by 26% to $18.3 Billion” (Hill & Jones,
2012, p. 198). United Technologies also sold its “automotive parts unit in the light of growing
price pressure from automakers” (History, Business Insights: Essentials) and continued with
other acquisitions such as Chubb “ranked as a leading supplier of electronic security and fire
protection products” (History, Business Insights: Essentials).
These acquisitions brought United Technologies “phenomenal revenue growth, pushing
annual revenues from $24 Billion in 1999 to nearly $59 Billion a decade later” (History,
Business Insights: Essentials). During David’s first ten years as the CEO, United Technologies
improved its,
“market capitalization from $8.6 Billion to more than $50 Billion, a massive increase that
coincided with stock returns of approximately 650 percent during the period…ended 2004 with
net income of $2.79 Billion, an 18 percent increase from the previous year’s total, and revenues
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of $37.45 Billion, a 21 percent increase over the same period” (History, Business Insights:
Essentials).
In 2006, United Technologies’ chief operating officer, Louis R. Chenevert assumed the
role of CEO from George David. Currently, the company is described as a “diversified company
engaged in providing technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace
industries worldwide” (Company Profile United Technologies, MarketLine, August 2014, p. 3).
In this manner, United Technologies “provides elevators and escalators, aircraft engines,
helicopters, aircraft controls and sensing systems, and heating, air conditioning and refrigeration
systems” (MarketLine, August 2014, p. 3). The company’s geographical fields of operations are
“across Latin America, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East”
(United Technologies Corporation—Financial and Strategic Analysis Review, GlobalData, July
2014, p. 1).
In its Website, United Technologies describes itself as providing “high technology
products and solutions for the aerospace and commercial building industries, making modern life
possible” (At a Glance, Our Businesses, United Technologies Website, n. d.). Here, United
Technologies Building and Industrial Systems composed of Otis, Carrier, Chubb and other
entities employs 120,786 employees generating $29.3 Billion in net sales in 2013 (At a Glance,
Our Businesses, United Technologies Website, n. d.). Next, the company’s Propulsion &
Aerospace Systems is divided into two sections with one headed by Pratt & Whitney division
and other units that employs 31,700 employees and generated $14.5 Billion in net sales in 2013
(At a Glance, Our Businesses, United Technologies Website, n. d.). A further section called the
Aerospace Systems division employs 41,738 employees and generated $13.3 Billion in net sales
in 2013 (At a Glance, Our Businesses, United Technologies Website, n. d.). In addition, the
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Sikorsky division employs 16,542 employees and generated 6.3 Billion in net sales in 2013 (At a
Glance, Our Businesses, United Technologies Website, n. d.). In 2014, United Technologies had
212,400 employees (Key Facts, Our Company, United Technology Web Site, n. d.).
United Technologies defines its mission and vision as “our operating system” (Our
Operating System, Our Company, United Technologies Website, n. d.) that,
“fosters a culture of continuous improvement…We use our ACE operating system to
achieve the highest levels of performance in everything we do, from developing new products to
finding better ways to serve our customers” (Our Operating System, Our Company, United
Technologies Website, n. d.).
United Technologies Operating System which is called Achieving Competitive
Excellence (ACE) concentrates on the “drivers of competitive excellence…people and…work
processes” (Our Operating System, Our Company, United Technologies Website, n. d.). Here,
the company states “leadership and empowered employees work together to implement ACE
practices in all of our activities across every UTC business to benefit our customers and
shareholders” (Our Operating System, Our Company, United Technologies Website, n. d.). ACE
has,
“three elements: culture, tools and competency…The daily interaction of each element is
what makes it an operating system…Results focus on perfect quality, on-time delivery, highly
engaged employees working in a safe environment, and best-in-class financial returns” (Our
Operating System, Our Company, United Technologies Website, n. d.).
Hill & Jones (2012) describe ACE as a “set of tasks and procedures that are used by
employees from the shop floor to top managers to analyze all aspects of the way a product is
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
made” (p. 197). Here the ultimate aim is to “find ways to improve quality and reliability, to
lower costs of making the product, and especially to find ways to make the next generation of a
particular product perform better—in other words, to encourage technological innovation” (Hill
& Jones, 2012, p. 197). In this spirit, George David intended to make,
“every employee in every function and at every level take responsibility for achieving
the incremental, step-by-step gains that can result in innovative and efficient products that enable
a company to dominate its industry—to push back the value creation frontier” (Hill & Jones,
2012, p. 197).
As a result of these actions for enhancing performance, between the years 2000 and 2010,
United Technologies’ revenue “more than doubled as manufacturing square footage…declined”
(Roth, 2010, p. 3), expenditures were controlled and “significant productivity gains” (p. 3) were
actualized. As George David stated in 2007, “operating margins for UTC’s businesses were 5%
in the early 1990s, [in 2007] they’re 14% and headed to 17 or 18%” (Roth, 2010, p. 4). ACE
facilitated UTC’s “organic growth of 7 to 9% from 2004 to 2007 (about twice U.S. GDP
growth), 5% in 2008, and a free cash flow that equaled or exceeded net income attributable to
common shareowners” (Roth, 2010, p. 5).
In 2014, United Technologies had evolved into the “19th largest U.S. manufacturer”
(Industry Week), the “45th largest U.S. Corporation” (Fortune), the “65th largest publicly held
manufacturer in the world” (Industry Week), the “90th largest company in the world” (Forbes
Global 2000), the “151st largest global corporation” (Fortune Global 500), “61st on the list of
world’s greenest companies” (Newsweek), “2nd most admired aerospace and defense company”
(Fortune) and “ranked among Barron’s list of world’s most respected companies” (Barron) (all
the aforementioned rankings have been retrieved from: Key Facts, Our Company, United
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Technologies Web Site, n. d.). In addition, United Technology was also selected by Thomson
Reuters as in the “top 100 global innovators” (Recognition, Shareowner Letter, 2013 Annual
Report, Our Company, United Technology Web Site, n. d.) list.
In 2013, United Technologies Corporation earned revenues of US$62,626 million which
was an “increase of 8.5% over FY2012” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 1). In FY2013, United
Technologies’ “operating margin was 14.7% compared to an operating margin of 13.3% in
FY2012” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 1). In FY2013, “the company recorded a net margin of 9.1%,
compared to a net margin of 8.9% in FY2012” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 1). In actual numbers, the
operating profit of United Technologies in FY2013 was $9,209 million, “an increase of 19.8%
over FY2012” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 3). The net profit of United Technologies in FY2013 was
$5,721 million, “an increase of 11.5% over FY2012” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 3). Here, United
Technologies Corporation’s revenues in 2009 stood at $52,425 million and its net income at
$3,829.0 while as mentioned in 2013 those figures had climbed to $62,626 million and 5,721.0
million respectively.
In 2013, the market capitalization of United Technologies was estimated at “99.37B”
(UTX Competitors, United Technologies Corporation, Yahoo! Finance, n. d.) as opposed to its
major competitors, The Boeing Corporation with a market capitalization of “88.96B” (Yahoo!
Finance, n. d.) and General Electric Company with a market capitalization of “265.68B” (Yahoo!
Finance, n. d.). In 2013, The Boeing Company’s revenues were estimated to be at “90.08B”
(Yahoo! Finance, n. d.) and the General Electric Company’s revenues were recorded as
“146.64B” (Yahoo/Finance, n. d.). In addition, in 2013, The Boeing Company’s net income
stood at “5.21B” (Yahoo/Finance, n. d.) while the General Electric Company’s net income were
recorded at “15.04B” (Yahoo/Finance, n. d.).
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
Strategic Analysis
As a diversified company, UTC produces “technology products and services to the
building and aerospace industries worldwide” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 4). As mentioned earlier,
UTC benefits from a “strong market presence, diversified business portfolio and operational
efficiency” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) that have translated into a reduction of “business risks and
provide cross selling opportunities” (p. 2). Nevertheless, UTC faces strong competitive forces in
its business environment that places “continued pressure on the operations of the company,
which may result in price discounting thus adversely impacting UTC’s financial condition and
results of operations” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 4). In addition, UTC may also be negatively
impacted by “changing technological trends and increasing production cost” (MarketLine, 2014,
p. 2).
In performing a Michael Porter’s Five Forces Model analysis, the first evaluation will
take into consideration “the risk of entry by potential competitors” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 57).
Here, potential competitors are defined as “companies that are not currently competing in an
industry but have the capability to do so if they choose” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 58). Here,
potential competitors may face “barriers to entry” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 58) that may prove too
“costly for companies to enter an industry” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 58). In this respect, UTC is in
a very favorable position with respect to this first competitive force due to the extreme high cost
associated with entering the aerospace and building systems industries. UTC also enjoys a
formidable competitive edge in this area due to the utilization of a wide array of sophisticated
technologies that are implemented in the production of its diversified products.
As a manufacturing organization, UTC uniquely benefits from positive economies of
scale as opposed to its potential competitors that lead to “cost reductions gained through mass-
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producing a standardized output…discounts on bulk purchases of raw material inputs and
component parts…advantages gained by spreading fixed production costs over a large
production volume…and the cost savings associated with spreading marketing and advertising
costs over a large volume of output” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 58).
UTC companies also enjoy strong brand loyalty mostly based on “product innovation
achieved through company research and development programs, an emphasis on high product
quality, and good after-sales service” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 58). Here, divisions such as Pratt &
Whitney is “one of the world’s leading suppliers of aircraft engines for the commercial, military,
business jet and general aviation markets” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6), Sikorsky is one of the
“world’s largest helicopter companies” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6), Chubb is the “leading brand in
fire safety and security solutions” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2), Carrier Corporation is one of the
“world’s largest manufacturers and distributers of heating, ventilating and air conditioning
(HVAC) systems…a global leader in the commercial refrigeration and food service equipment
industry” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) and Otis is one of the “world’s largest elevator and escalator
manufacturing , installation and service companies” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6).
UTC also benefits from an absolute cost advantages mostly related to its Achieving
Competitive Excellence (ACE) Total Quality Management (TQM) system exercised religiously
in all of its manufacturing and operational facilities. ACE is a process oriented series of
procedures and practices that are aimed at improving “quality…reliability” (Hill & Jones, 2012,
p. 197) cost savings and “technological innovation” (p. 197). Due to the very nature and
character of UTC’s products such as aircraft engines, helicopters, aviation systems,
elevators/escalators, HVAC systems or fire and security systems, the customer switching costs
are rather high and they are likely to be “locked in to the product offerings” (Hill & Jones, 2012,
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p. 60) of the UTC. In addition, due to government regulation enforcing “automatic across-the-
board cuts” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9), potential competitors may refrain from entering defense
oriented markets where UTC holds a competitive advantage.
In regards to Porter’s second competitive force labeled as “rivalry among established
companies” (Hill & Jones, 2014, p. 61), UTC is facing a number of parallel competitive
scenarios. First, UTC’s aerospace businesses are “subject to substantial competition from
domestic manufacturers, foreign manufacturers and other companies that obtain regulatory
agency approval to manufacture spare parts” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). Here, increasingly, the
“U.S. and global defense, space and aerospace industries” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 61) are
becoming “consolidated…dominated by a small number of large companies” (Hill & Jones,
2012, p. 61). This trend towards consolidation “intensifies competition as fewer players exist in
the market” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 62) placing pressure on UTC’s financial performance.
Nevertheless, the expansion of the global aircraft and airline markets in the next 20 years will
result in an expanding “industry demand” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 62) level thereby moderating
“competition by providing greater scope for companies to compete for customers” (p. 62).
In regards to cost conditions, UTC is competing in an industry and businesses with
extremely high rates of “fixed costs…that must be born before the firm makes a single sale” (Hill
& Jones, 2012, p. 62). In an environment “where demand is not growing fast enough and too
many companies are engaged in the same actions, cutting prices…in an attempt to cover fixed
costs, the results can be intense rivalry and lower profits” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 62). In this
light, as stated previously, UTC’s defense oriented businesses may experience increasing rivalry
and competition related to lowering demand while the civilian, passenger and freight oriented
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aerospace services and products will face less rivalry and competition due to a growing aircraft
market.
UTC and all its competitors compete in industries and businesses where “exit barriers”
(Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 63) are extremely high mostly due to “investments in assets such as
specific machines, equipment, and operating facilities” (p. 63) and “the need to maintain
expensive collection of assets at or above some minimum level in order to participate effectively
in the industry” (p. 63). Here, with respect to the contracting defense oriented businesses, these
high exit barriers will result in an increasing level of rivalry whereas the growing civilian
aircraft and aerospace market will lessen the intensity of this rivalry in between UTC and its
competitors.
In relation to Porter’s third competitive force, the bargaining power of buyers, UTC is in
an unfavorable position primarily due to the fact that one customer namely the U.S. Government
comprised,
“21% and 24% of total…aerospace systems segment sales in 2013 and 2012,
respectively…Thus, a significant reduction in the purchase of the company’s products by
government agencies or contractors for government agencies could result in less number of
contracts, which in turn would adversely impact UTC’s revenues” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). As
Hill & Jones (2012) observe, in situations “when the buyers purchase in large quantities…buyers
can use their purchasing power as leverage to bargain for price reductions” (p. 64). On the other
hand, UTC’s advanced technology and process efficiencies allow the company to offer cutting
edge and high quality products that enhance its bargaining power with respect to all its buyers.
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
In relation to Porter’s fourth competitive force, the bargaining power of suppliers, UTC
“uses various raw materials such as cobalt, chromium steel, copper, aluminum, titanium and
nickel” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4). Here, Hill & Jones (2012) observe that in situations when “the
product that suppliers sell has few substitutes and is vital to the companies in an industry”, the
bargaining power of suppliers is increased. However, UTC may partially balance this power
disparity with respect to its suppliers due to its favorable “economies of scope” (Hill & Jones,
2012, p. 189) characteristics and capabilities. With respect to Porter’s fifth competitive force,
the threat of substitute products, UTC is in an extremely favorable position due to its proprietary,
innovative and cutting technology that is manifested in its high quality products.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
United Technologies (UTC) benefits from a “strategically Balanced” (MarketLine, 2014,
p. 4) array of product lines and “revenues streams” (p. 4) that lowers its “business risks” (p. 4)
and improves its “opportunities” (p. 4). The company’s different segments and divisions such as
Otis, Pratt & Whitney, UTC aerospace systems, Carrier, Sikorsky, UTC climate/controls/security
and others create a “strategically balanced portfolio [that] shields against unfavorable forces in a
specific market by dispersing its business risks” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5) while offering it
“opportunities available across various industries” (p. 5).
UTC’s varied portfolio of companies and units allows for “research, development, and
manufacturing of high technology products in diverse sectors, including aircraft engines,
helicopters, HVAC, fuel cells, elevators and escalators, fire and security, building systems, and
industrial products, among others” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). UTC has also created a balanced
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array of revenue streams with Otis in FY2013 holding “19.7% of the company’s total revenue,
followed by climate, controls & security with 26.5%, P & W with 22.9%, aerospace systems
with 21.1% and Sikorsky with 9.9% revenue” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). These well balanced
revenue platforms allow UTC to better withstand slowdowns and contractions in certain sectors
and segments while generating revenue in other businesses.
As indicated earlier, UTC also benefited from “strong growth in its operating
performance in FY2013” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) with revenues of $62,626 million that was “an
increase of 8.5% over the previous year” (p. 2). UTC’s operating income in FY2013 was $9,209
million that was “an increase of 19.85% over the previous” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) year. In
addition, in FY2013, UTC’s net income stood at $5,721 million that was “an increase of 11.5%
over the previous year” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). In relation to UTC’s operating expenses as a
percentage of sales in FY2013, they stood at “85.2%, as compared to 86.6% in the previous
year” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). In addition, UTC’s operating margin in FY2013 was “14.7%...as
compared to 13.3% in 2012” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). This particular important improvement
involving the operating margin indicates that UTC’s “revenue increased at a higher rate than that
of its expenses” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). The aforementioned positive financial data related to
FY2013 illustrates that UTC stands in a favorable position in order to secure “investor’s
confidence” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) in addition to projecting a “positive outlook for the future”
(p. 2).
A further strength of UTC is in the very dominance of its individual businesses such as
UTC fire & security, Sikorsky, Chubb, Carrier, Pratt & Whitney, Otis, UTC aerospace and others
in their respective fields that leads to garnering “profitable growth, stellar performance, and
successful expansion of its offerings” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). UTC’s brands hold “market
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leadership” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) in their particular disciplines that allow the company to
“enjoy disproportional share of the industry’s overall profits” (p. 2). All this leads to UTC
benefiting from “strong recognition across varied categories [that] ensures its status as one of the
strongest players in the industry, which further enhance the brand of the company and gives it a
competitive advantage” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6).
A fundamental pillar of UTC’s success and prominence emanates from “a strong
emphasis on research and development…to deliver innovative products and technologies”
(MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). Here, UTC’s research and development (R&D) center in East
Hartford, Connecticut called the United Technologies Research Center concentrates on
“developing new technologies and upgrading existing technologies in the fields of aerospace
propulsion, building infrastructure and services, heating and air conditioning, fire and security
systems and power generation” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). UTC also runs three additional R&D
centers in China, Ireland and California while conducting “R&D work under contracts funded by
the U.S. government and other customers” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). A large portion of UTC’s
research budget is devoted to “aerospace businesses” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). The company’s
heavy emphasis on R&D facilitates adding “newer features to its existing range of products and
launch latest technologies in the varied areas” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5) that eventually leads to
developing “proprietary products…and…an advantage over its competitors” (p. 6).
Weaknesses
UTC generates a large portion of its revenues in the U.S. that may negatively influence
its “growth prospects” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6) in the event that “the economy and/or the
company’s sales in the U.S. do not grow as expected” (p. 6). UTC received “57.5%”
(MarketLine, 2014, p. 6) of its revenues in the U.S., its “largest geographical
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market…accounting for $35,994 million” (p. 6). In addition, a considerable amount of UTC’s
revenue is “derived from contracts or subcontracts funded by the U.S. non-governmental
customers” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6). This relatively high level of exposure may lead to UTC’s
vulnerability “if these customers fail to render business to the company as a result of
performance problems or financial difficulties” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6). The important issue
here for UTC will be “overdependence on one region or customer for majority of…revenues
[that] could affect the growth prospects of the company” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7).
UTC’s growth potential may also be negatively impacted by its “considerable debt
obligations” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7) that in FY2013 and FY2012 stood at “$20,241” (p. 7) and
“$23,221” (p. 7) respectively. These high levels of debt have led to FY2013 and FY2012
interest payments of “$897 million and $773 million…respectively” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7).
UTC’s elevated debt levels “could impact its ability to obtain additional financing to support its
expansion plans” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7) in addition to diverting its “cash flows from
operations and expansion plans to service the fixed obligations” (p. 7). Furthermore, a failure on
the part of UTC to subsidize its debt from “cash flow from operations…would force the
company to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure
or refinance its indebtedness, which in turn would further impact its performance” (MarketLine,
2014, p. 7).
Opportunities
UTC will benefit from the improving aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)
market as “most airlines are focusing to reduce costs and increase profits” (MarketLine, 2014, p.
7). Here, MRO will assist airlines to “lower their cost bases by optimizing the MRO structure
and maintenance schedules of the fleet” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7) while MRO software may
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bring “considerable money savings to differently structured providers as the number of aircraft
being used around the globe increases” (p. 7). This need for “efficient MRO systems and cutting
edge information technology” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7) will translate into a “global aviation
MRO market” (p. 7) in the amount of “$57.5 billion in 2014 and grow to $86.5 billion by 2024”
(p. 7). In general, MRO may form “up to 20% of an airline’s operating costs” (MarketLine,
2014, p. 7).
All in all, the world-wide airline industry will grow significantly in the coming years and
UTC will benefit from this expansion. In this light, the passenger aircraft and freighter aircraft
market is “expected to reach US$4 trillion by 2031” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3) and in between
“2012-2031, the demand for new passenger aircraft is expected to grow with an average rate of
3.80% per annum to per year to reach 32, 551” (p. 3). One estimate is projecting “27,347 new
passenger aircraft” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3) and “900 freighter aircraft” (p. 3) will be ordered in
the next 20 years. This demand for new aircraft will be mostly received from “North America
(41.00%), Asia-Pacific (30.00%), Europe (16.00%)” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3).
As a major producer of “spare parts for aircrafts” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3), UTC will be a
major beneficiary of this expanding trend. In addition, UTC is a major supplier of “aircraft
engines for the commercial, military, business jet and general aviation markets” (MarketLine,
2014, p. 7) and as mentioned previously offers MRO services “including the sale of spare parts,
as well as fleet management services for large commercial engines” (p. 7). Furthermore, UTC is
in the business of providing “aftermarket helicopter and aircraft parts and services” (GlobalData,
2014, p. 7). The net result of this world-wide expansion of aviation in the coming years is the
creation of significant business opportunities for UTC.
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
An additional area of business growth opportunity for UTC is the acquiring of “a number
of strategic acquisitions in the recent past to boost its product portfolio and diversify
geographical presence” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 8). These “strategic business acquisitions”
(MarketLine, 2014, p. 8) will help UTC to expand its “global presence and revenues” (p. 8).
Furthermore, the world-wide market for HVAC equipment will expand significantly in the
coming years experiencing a rise of “approximately 6% per year through 2018 to approximately
$113 billion” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 8). This expansion is rooted in the increasing “building
construction activity worldwide and improved spending in developed areas” (MarketLine, 2014,
p. 8) in addition to “rising personal incomes that enable a wider array of individuals to purchase
comfort equipment” (p. 8).
UTC will also continue to benefit from a formidable “partnering network through
contracts” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3) that will “enable the company to enhance its presence the
world over and capture larger market share” (p. 3). Here, as mentioned previously, UTC’s R&D
competencies will enable the company to “deploy innovative technology and deliver advance
products, and services that meet its customers’ critical needs” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3). These
R&D competencies will “focus on improving the performance of products and developing new
technologies” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3) in the “building systems and aerospace industries” (p. 3)
in addition to improving the company’s “technological advantages” (p. 3).
Threats
UTC’s aerospace businesses are “subject to substantial competition from domestic
manufacturers, foreign manufacturers and other companies that obtain regulatory agency
approval to manufacture spare parts” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). This high level of competition
involving “engines and components” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9) will also effect “later sales of
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
parts and services” (p. 9). Furthermore, governmental procedures regarding the purchasing of
“parts from suppliers other than the original equipment manufacturer” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9)
will also be a factor in this equation. Simultaneously, the “U.S. and global defense, space and
aerospace industries” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9) are experiencing a period of consolidation that
will “intensify competition” (p. 9) and lower the “number of principal prime contractors in the
U.S.” (p. 9). The resulting competition will place “continued pressure on the operations of the
company, which may result in price discounting thus adversely impacting UTC’s financial
condition and results of operations” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9).
An additional area of concern for UTC will be the “declining defense spending by the
U.S. government [that] could adversely impact revenues” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). Here
“automatic across-the-board cuts” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9) will seriously impact the “company’s
business and industry” (p. 9). Here, a decrease in revenues generated from ‘the purchase of the
company’s products by government agencies or contractors for government agencies could result
in less number of contracts , which in turn would adversely impact UTC’s revenues”
(MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). Furthermore, UTC may experience a termination of its contracts with
the U.S. government “either for the convenience of the government or for default as a result of
failure to perform under the applicable contract” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4).
The markets that host UTCs operations are subject to “rapid and significant changes due
to the introduction of innovative technologies” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4). Consequently, UTC is
compelled to continually “design new, and update existing products and services and invest in
and develop new technologies in order to meet needs and requirements of the market”
(GlobalData, 2014, p. 4). The alteration or improvement in technology “requires a significant
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
commitment to research and development, which in return requires considerable financial
resources that may not always result in success” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4).
UTC also depends on “various raw material such as cobalt, chromium steel, copper,
aluminum, titanium and nickel” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4) whose prices form a major portion of
the “company’s total cost of goods sold” (p. 4). Here, an increase in the “commodity price, the
cost of raw materials and energy” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4) will significantly affect the revenue
and income of the company. In addition, UTC relies on numerous “foreign sources for certain
raw materials requirements which could be affected by economic and political situations”
(GlobalData, 2014, p. 4).
Furthermore, as a major global company, UTC is vulnerable to “fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange rate [that] could adversely impact operations and financial results”
(MarketLine, 2014, p. 4). In this light, UTCs business is extremely sensitive to economic trends
and currency fluctuations that may “affect product demand and reported profits in the company’s
non-U.S. operations (primarily the commercial businesses), where transactions are generally
denominated in local currencies” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 10). These currency fluctuations also
impact “the prices the company pays its suppliers for materials used in its products”
(MarketLine, 2014, p. 10). Importantly, with respect to foreign transactions “a strengthening of
the U.S. Dollar against other major foreign currencies could adversely impact UTC’s results of
operations” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 10).
An Analysis of United Technologies Corporations’ Diversification Strategy
United Technologies Corporation (UTC) is an extremely efficient diversified company
whose roots may be traced to the beginning of the aviation age. UTC and its related companies
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
such as Pratt & Whitney have been instrumental in the service of this country most notably
during WWII. During its long history, UTC has also faced challenges when its core markets
related to the U.S. government’s expenditures on defense have contracted thereby necessitating
the creation of alternative strategies. Through time, UTC has adopted and implemented these
alternative strategies mostly by diversifying its business holdings and leveraging its
technological expertise, process efficiencies, “learning effects” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 94) and
“distinctive competencies” (119) to establish and preserve competitive advantage in many of its
operational markets.
In evaluating the general dangers and disadvantages involved in diversification, Hill &
Jones (2012) observe that “companies that spread their resources too thin, in order to compete in
several different product markets, run the risk of starving their fast-growing core business of the
resources needed to expand rapidly…The result is loss of competitive advantage in the core
business and-often-failure” (p. 174). In addition, Hill & Jones (2012) state that “many mature
companies that expand over time into too many different businesses and markets find our later
that they have stretched their resources too far and that their performance declines as a result” (p.
174).
An important point must be emphasized at this juncture that in evaluating UTC’s history,
acquisitions have been made in order to lessen the reliance of the company on one customer
(U.S. government/Pentagon) or one industry (defense industry). As stated previously, Harry
Gray, the CEO of UTC’s predecessor, United Aircraft “sought to reduce…dependence on the
Pentagon and began a purchasing program in an effort to diversify the business” (History,
Business Insights: Essentials). In this pursuit, a majority interest was purchased in Otis Elevator
in 1975 and Carrier Corporation was also bought in 1983. Similarly, in 1975 “United Aircraft
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
changed its name to United Technologies (UTC)…in order to emphasize the diversification of
the company’s business” (History, Business Insights: Essentials).
Here, it is essential to note that as the company during certain periods of its history has
implemented a strategy of “growth through acquisition” (History, Business Insights: Essentials),
it has also relentlessly attempted to create synergy among different units by implementing UTC’s
core/distinctive competencies mostly in relation to technology and process efficiencies.
Consequently, in light of the observations of Hill & Jones (2012) concerning the dangers and
disadvantages of diversification, it must be stated that UTC’s acquisitions have added value and
strength to the portfolio of the company due to the technological and process oriented
commonalities that have been adopted among all the acquired companies.
Hill & Jones (2012) describe diversification as the “process of entering one or more
industries that are distinct or different from a company’s core or original industry, in order to
find ways to use its distinctive competencies to increase the value of products in those industries
to consumers” (p. 187). In addition, Hill & Jones (2012) state that diversification “should enable
the company, or its individual business units, to perform one or more of the value chain functions
either at a lower cost or in way that results in higher differentiation and premium prices” (p.
187). As a high performing diversified manufacturing company, UTC through the usage of its
sophisticated array of technologies and process efficiencies (Achieving Competitive
Excellence/ACE) has attempted to achieve differentiation and operational cost savings with
respect to its competitors thereby creating value for its consumers.
Hill & Jones (2012) hold that “diversification can help a company create greater value in
three main ways…by permitting superior internal governance…by transferring competencies
among businesses…by realizing economies of scope” (p. 187). In relation to facilitating
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
superior internal governance, “top managers…develop strategies that improve the competitive
positioning of its business units in the industries where they compete” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p.
187). Most importantly, in introducing an acquisition and restructuring strategy top managers
must search “out ways to improve the business unit’s efficiency, quality innovativeness, and
responsiveness to customers” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 188) in addition to establishing
“performance goals that cannot be met without significant improvements in operating efficiency”
(p. 188).
As illustrated in the case titled “United Technologies has an Ace in Its Pockets” (Hill &
Jones, 2012, p. 197) this is precisely what transpired under the leadership of George David,
through the introduction of Achieving Competitive Advantage (ACE) processes across UTC’s
numerous divisions and business units. David who was named UTC president in 1992 and
subsequently CEO in 1994 became a champion for, adopted, refined and implemented many of
the total quality management (TQM) oriented processes that were introduced in the Otis Elevator
successful turnaround by Yuzuru Ito. The ACE reforms which were adopted across UTC’s
many businesses were intended at “reducing…cost structure and increasing its ROIC” (Hill &
Jones, 2012, p. 197) while also improving “efficiency and quality” (p. 197). The major goals of
the ACE processes are to improve “quality and reliability, to lower the cost of making the
product…to encourage technological innovation” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 197).
In relation to creating value in diversification through transferring competencies among
businesses, Hill & Jones (2012) hold that “for a company to create value from diversification is
to transfer its existing distinctive competencies in one or more value creation functions (for
example, manufacturing, marketing, materials management, and R&D) to other industries” (p.
188). Here, UTC mainly utilizes its distinctive competencies in manufacturing, materials
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
management and R&D in order to create value across its divisions and entities. As mentioned
previously, at the most fundamental level, UTC,
“Conducts its R&D activities through United Technologies Research Center located in
East Hartford, Connecticut…The center is focused on developing new technologies and
upgrading existing technologies in the fields of aerospace propulsion, building infrastructure and
services, heating and air conditioning, fire and security systems and power generation”
(MarketLine, 2014, p. 5).
UTC’s research headquarters and three other R&D centers in China, Ireland and
California create a shared system wide foundation based on technological innovation and process
efficiencies such as ACE in order to introduce “newer features to its existing range of products
and launch latest technologies in the varied areas” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). This pattern for
adopting system wide standards is also implemented through UTC’s “business operating system”
(Roth, 2010, p. 6) which is defined as a,
“Way of managing…based on a broad approach and philosophy, using specific tools and
methods, supported by dedicated people, departments and training that are tied to overall
measurements, reporting and reward systems…Ace is used as UTC’s operating system because
managers at multiple levels have confidence in it, confidence that they have gained form their
experience using ACE” (p. 6).
The roots of ACE maybe traced to Toyota’s production standards and methodologies
such as the kaizen events which are,
“An intense, short-term project accomplished by rapidly implementing changes such as
new work cell organization, improved machine setup, or streamlined processes…consultants
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
[lead] work area groups in eliciting information about their current operation, brainstormed
improvement ideas, selected among options, and made immediate changes” (Roth, 2014, p. 20).
ACE is also related to the concepts of lean manufacturing that is defined as a,
“Production philosophy that seeks to supply exactly what the customer wants, when the
customer wants it…Furthermore, lean manufacturing aims at supplying those goods and services
with minimum waste, where waste in production is reduced through continuous improvements of
the production process…The core idea is that eliminating waste along value streams, creates
processes that need less capital, human resources, less production space, and reduces the time to
make products and services…if implemented effectively, reduce the cost of producing goods and
services, reduce the number of defect products and produce and deliver goods quickly to
customers” (What is lean Manufacturing?, Business Mate.Org, n. d.).
These concepts and processes were gradually adopted and reformed by UTC in its system
wide manufacturing operations in order to “institutionalize quality” (Roth, 2010, p. 26),
implement “mistake proofing” (p. 23) and promote “waste elimination” (p. 24). As an operating
system, eventually ACE came to be viewed as described by one UTC executive as a “strategic,
competitive” (Roth, 2010, p. 35) tool that, “engages and empowers all of our employees to
achieve world-class products and processes to delight our customers, shareholders, and
associates” (p. 35). Here, ACE has also been defined by UTC as “our individual and collective
daily management system to maximize the flow of value to our customers, employees, and
investors” (as cited in Roth, 2010, p. 52). The elements of ACE operating system are,
“Culture (focus on customer, valuing people, and common language), tools (defined
methods for process improvement, problem solving, and decision making), and the competency
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
in the culture to implement the tools (through education, sharing best practices, and quality
clinics)” (Roth, 2014, p. 52).
In relation to economies of scope, Hill & Jones (2012) state that “when two or more
business units can share resources or capabilities such as manufacturing facilities, distribution
channels, advertising campaigns, and R&D costs, total operating costs fall because of economies
of scope” (p. 189). Here economies of scope may be realized when “there is a real opportunity
for sharing the skills and services of one or more of the value creation functions between a
company’s existing and new business systems” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 191). This indeed is the
precise function of the previously mentioned United Technologies Research Center and the three
additional R&D operations in China, Ireland and California that accumulate, develop and
distribute technological innovation across UTC divisions and entities. These research centers are
financed and supported system wide through UTC’s R&D budget that for FY2013 amounted to
“$2.5 billion or 4% of total sales, as compared with $2.4 billion or 4.1% of total sales in
FY2012” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5).
In addition, the aforementioned UTC’s operating system namely the ACE practices and
methodologies are additional process oriented capabilities that are shared and implemented
throughout UTC’s divisions and businesses. Furthermore, as stated previously, UTC and its
companies purchase “raw materials such as cobalt, chromium steel, copper, aluminum, titanium
and nickel” (GLobalData, 2014, p. 4). These procurements provide UTC and its associated
entities purchasing power versus their suppliers due to the collective volume that is garnered
from these sources.
Hill & Jones (2012) describe an unrelated diversification as “diversification into a new
business or industry that has no obvious value chain connection with any of the businesses or
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
industries in which a company is currently operating” (p. 192). Such a company is referred to as
a conglomerate where the “unrelated company cannot create value by sharing resources and
transferring competencies” (p. 192). On the other hand, in a related diversification strategy
among two businesses, “some form of linkage or connection between one or more components
of each business unit’s value chain” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 192) are observed. In general “these
linkages are based on manufacturing, marketing, or technological connections or similarities”
(Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 192).
There are a number of potential dangers and disadvantages that are associated with an
unrelated diversification strategy. Here, potential companies
“might risk neglecting its core capabilities and become too diversified, where too many
different products supplied to different markets might have negative effects on products and
services, where…product quality or uniqueness might suffer due to the shift in focus on different
products and services” (What is a Diversification Strategy, Business Mate, n. d.).
Specifically, with respect to unrelated diversification or conglomerate diversification, the
potential disadvantage may be traced to the,
“Increase in administrative problems associated with operating unrelated
businesses…Managers from different divisions may have different backgrounds and may be
unable to work together effectively…Competition between strategic business units for resources
may entail shifting resources away from one division to another…Such a move may create
rivalry and administrative problems between the units” (Diversification Strategy, Reference for
Business, n. d.).
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
In addition, the danger of entering businesses where the “management team lacks
experience or skill” (Diversification Strategy, Reference for Business, n. d.) is the reality that,
“Without some knowledge of the new industry, a firm may be unable to accurately evaluate
the industry’s potential…Even if the new business is initially successful, problems will
eventually occur…Executives from the conglomerate will have to become involved in the
operations of the new enterprise at some point…Without adequate experience or skills…the new
business may become a poor performer” (Diversification Strategy, Reference for Business, n. d.).
Indeed, in the long run the total performance of the diversified company “may deteriorate
because of controls placed on the individual units by the parent conglomerate…Decision making
may become slower due to longer review periods and complicated reporting systems”
(Diversification Strategy, Reference for Business, n. d.).
However, UTC through the system wide implementation of its ACE operating system
and a relentless drive for technological innovation has been able to withstand and overcome the
aforementioned disadvantages of unrelated diversification such as poor quality, management
unfamiliarity or lack of experience, scarcity of resources due to system wide usage and process
inefficiencies. Here, UTC’s corporate-level strategy of unrelated diversification creates value
by continuously fulfilling the commitments that the company “promises to its customers,
employees, shareholders, and local communities” (Roth, 2010, p. 36). These commitments that
are repeatedly and consistently “shared across UTC” (Roth, 2010, p. 36) are as follows:
“1) Performance—customers have a choice so set ambitious goals and use customer
feedback to reset direction, 2) Innovation—commitment to research and development, sharing
ideas, and encouraging diversity of experience and opinion, 3) Opportunity—inspiration creates
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
opportunities, strive to continuously improve, pursue lifelong learning, take risks, cooperate and
learn, 4) Responsibility—maintain highest ethical, environmental, and safety standards
everywhere, and 5) Results—meet aggressive targets whatever the economic environment,
communicate honestly, and deliver what is promised” (Roth, 2010, p. 37).
Most importantly, UTC’s commitments are a collection of shared “goals” (Roth, 2010, p.
37) that all its organizational leaders are “expected to achieve…They are integral to the fabric of
the ACE culture” (Roth, 2010, p. 37). Here, specifically in relation to the relationship in-
between quality and productivity an ACE Council in UTC has observed that in operational
transformation,
“Productivity (flow) can’t happen until quality is in place first. UTC’s essential learning
is that quality and productivity reinforce one another. We have also learned that, from a teaching
point of view, employees grasp the significance of quality much faster when asked to try to
create flow first, than when asked to learn quality principles for the sake of quality” (Roth, 2010,
p. 38).
The aforementioned illustrations of UTC’s single minded focus on process oriented
competitive advantage has resulted in an organization that the former CEO George David
observes, “manufacturing productivity is at super high levels” (as cited in Roth, 2010, p. 4).
Indeed, through a disciplined and focused implementation of the ACE operating system and
leveraging its cutting edge technology, UTC has been extremely successful in pursuing its
unrelated diversification strategy. Here, in an analysis of the decade of 2000 by Reuters
(Mnyandu, January 4, 2010), UTC has ranked as the number one industrial company “providing
an increase in its valuation of 155.49%...UTC was closely followed by only caterpillar and 3M
with triple-digit percentage gains” (as cited in Roth, 2010, p. 49).
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
Furthermore, as illustrated earlier in this paper, UTC has been able to maintain similar
levels of financial performance in FY2012 and FY2013 in addition to receiving other
commendations from independent evaluating organizations. Here, UTCs “technological
innovations and performance improvements are the ultimate source of sustainable business
advantage and customer satisfaction” (Roth, 2010, p. 49). Ultimately, UTC may be referred to as
a diversified company utilizing an unrelated diversification strategy, however in reality, the
system wide implementation of ACE has resulted in a high degree of process oriented
commonality across the company’s various divisions and entities. This customer focused,
innovative and process efficient ACE standards and practices together with its cutting edge
technology are the engines that have sustained UTCs value creation efforts.
Conclusion
UTC is often labeled as a diversified company engaging in unrelated diversification. The
company owns and operates a number of world’s leading technologically oriented brands such as
Pratt & Whitney, Otis, Carrier, UTC aerospace systems, Chubb and others. Many of UTC’s
divisions are the most respected and highest performing companies in their particular operational
environment. What has made this high level of technological innovation, process efficiency and
financial performance possible is UTC’s legendary operating system titled Achieving
Competitive Advantage (ACE). ACE methodologies place a laser like focus on upholding
quality, productivity, efficiency and customer satisfaction thereby facilitating technological
innovation and competitive advantage for UTC.
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
References
Business Mate (n. d.). What is a diversification strategy? Article Search. Retrieved November
7, 2014 from Business Mate. Org Website:
http://www.businessmate.org/Article.php?ArtikelId=197 .
Business Mate (n. d.). What is lean manufacturing? Article Search. Retrieved November 11,
2014 from Business Mate. Org Website:
http://www.businessmate.org/Article.php?ArtikelId=197 .
Gale Business Insights: Essentials (2014). United Technologies Corporation. International
Directory of Company Histories. Document Number: Gale/CX2283600097. Gale
Business Insight: Essentials. Gale Cengage. Business Research. Northeastern
University Libraries. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from Northeastern University
Libraries Website: http://library.northeastern.edu/find/resources/items/business-insight-
essentials-gale-cengage .
GlobalData (July 23, 2014). United Technologies Corporation - Financial and strategic analysis
review. Global Data. Gale Business Insight: Essentials. Gale Cengage. Business
Research. Northeastern University Libraries. Retrieved November 10 from
Northeastern University Libraries Website:
http://library.northeastern.edu/find/resources/items/business-insight-essentials-gale-
cengage .
Hill, C. W. L. & Jones, G. R. (2012). Essentials of strategic management. Mason, OH: South
Western Cengage Learning.
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
MarketLine (August 28, 2014). Company Profile United Technologies Corporation.
MarketLine. Business Source Complete Database. EbscoHost. Business Research.
Northeastern University Libraries. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from Northeastern
University Libraries Website:
http://library.northeastern.edu/find/resources/items/business-source-complete-ebscohost .
Mnyandu, E. (January 4, 2010). Wall Street’s lost decade eclipses an upbeat 2009/Reuters. In
G. Roth, United Technologies Corporation: Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE),
Operating System Case Study. Lean Advancement Initiative. Sloan School of
Management. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved November 10, 2014
from United Technologies Corporation Website: http://www.utc.com/Our-
Company/Our-Operating-System/Documents/UTC_ACE_CaseStudy.pdf .
Reference for Business (n. d.). Diversification strategy. Encyclopedia of Business (2nd ed.).
Retrieved November 7, 2014 from Reference for Business Website:
http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/De-Ele/Diversification-Strategy.html
Roth, G. (2010). United Technologies Corporation: Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE),
Operating System Case Study. Lean Advancement Initiative. Sloan School of
Management. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved November 10, 2014
from United Technologies Corporation Website: http://www.utc.com/Our-
Company/Our-Operating-System/Documents/UTC_ACE_CaseStudy.pdf .
United Technologies Corporation (n. d.). At a Glance. Our Businesses. United Technologies
Website. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from United Technologies Corporations
Website: http://www.utc.com/Our-Businesses/Pages/At-A-Glance.aspx .
UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies
United Technologies Corporation (n. d.). Key Facts. Our Company. United Technologies
Website. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from United Technologies Corporations
Website: http://www.utc.com/Our-Businesses/Pages/At-A-Glance.aspx .
United Technologies Corporation (n. d.). Our Operating System: Achieving Competitive
Excellence. Our Company. United Technologies Website. Retrieved November 10,
2014 from United Technologies Corporations Website: http://www.utc.com/Our-
Businesses/Pages/At-A-Glance.aspx .
United Technologies Corporation (n. d.). Recognition. Shareowner Letter. 2013 Annual
Report. Our Company. United Technologies Website. Retrieved November 10, 2014
from United Technologies Corporations Website: http://www.utc.com/Our-
Businesses/Pages/At-A-Glance.aspx .
Yahoo! Finance (n. d.). United Technologies Corporations (UTX). Competitors. Retrieved
November 10, 2014 from Yahoo! Finance Website:
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/co?s=UTX+Competitors .

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LDR 6140 Second Case Study Analysis--United Technologies

  • 1. SecondCase StudyAnalysis—UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies Second Case Study Analysis—United Technologies Diversification Strategies Ardavan A. Shahroodi Northeastern University LDR 6140—Developing the Strategic Leader Professor W. Joseph Condon Saturday, November 15, 2014
  • 2. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies Introduction In the first section of this Case Study Analysis, United Technologies Corporation’s history, development, growth, mission and financials are discussed. The next section of this paper is devoted to the strategic analysis of United Technologies that includes a review of the company’s performance with respect to Michael Porter’s Five Forces Model framework. In the last section of this Case Study Analysis attention is focused on analyzing United Technologies’ unrelated diversification strategy. The final section also includes an appraisal of the company’s operating system titled Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE). This Case Study Analysis has reached the conclusion that United Technologies is a highly efficient corporate entity that methodically leverages its superior innovative technology and process efficiencies in order to create sustainable value and thereby gain and preserve competitive advantage in the marketplace. In this light, United Technologies relentlessly brings unity of purpose and common standards across its many divisions through a faithful and systematic implementation of its ACE operating system. The recommendation of this Case Study Analysis is for United Technologies to continue improving its ACE operating systems in order to withstand future competitive challenges. United Technologies Corporation’s History, Development, Growth, Mission and Financials United Technologies Corporation (UTC) (UTX) has a long history that has evolved under different names and formations from as early as 1925. In that year, Fred Rentschler started the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company “as one of the first companies to specialize in the manufacture of engines, or power plants for airframe builders” (United Technologies Corporation, History, Business Insights: Essentials, Gale Resources). Pratt & Whitney and its two major customers Boeing and Vought eventually merged in 1929 in order to create a new
  • 3. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies corporation called the “United Aircraft and Transportation Company” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). In time, this new company came to include Sikorsky, Northrop, Hamilton, Standard and other entities such as “Boeing’s airline companies” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). Nevertheless, in 1934, the U.S. government due to concerns that the composition of the United Aircraft and Transportation Company lends it to be a monopoly and therefore “anti- competitive” (Roth, 2010, p. 3) ordered its separation into a number of distinct businesses. In the resulting corporate arrangements, all the “manufacturing interests west of the Mississippi went to Boeing Airplane in Seattle, everything east of the river went to Rentschler’s United Aircraft in Hartford, and the transport services became a third independent company under the name of United Air Lines, which was based in Chicago” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). In the ensuing years, United Aircraft Company which included Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and a number of other units contributed significantly to the U.S. campaign in WWII with its Pratt & Whitney division producing “several hundred thousand engines for airplanes built by Boeing, Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, Grumman and Vought” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). Here, Pratt & Whitney actually built “over half the engines in American planes” in service during WWII (History, Business Insights: Essentials). After the war and into the 1950s, Pratt & Whitney competed with General electric and Westinghouse in the design and construction of jet engines. In the 1960s, the parent company, United Aircraft “continued to manufacture engines and a variety of other aircraft accessories” (History, Business Insights: Essentials) with a large quantity of work being performed for Boeing that “had several Pentagon contracts and whose 700-series jets were capturing 60 percent of the commercial airline market” (History, Business Insights: Essentials).
  • 4. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies United Aircraft Company’s main business operations involved “aerospace and defense industries until the mid-1970s” (Roth, 2010, p. 3) when it purchased Otis Elevator in 1975 and changed its name during the same year to United Technologies Corporation in order to “ emphasize the diversification of the company’s business” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). Here, in the early 1970s, United Aircraft had experienced lower profits due to the poor “performance of the Pratt & Whitney division” (History, Business Insights: Essentials) and consequently the new president, Harry Gray “sought to reduce United Aircraft’s dependence on the Pentagon and began a purchasing program in an effort to diversify the business” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). In this light, Gray who was shortly named the CEO and the chairman facilitated the purchasing of a number of other companies including the Carrier Corporation in 1983 and continued in diversifying the company “away from aerospace and defense” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). Gray’s rein proved to be very successful for United technologies with sales that “amounted to $2 Billion” (History, Business Insights: Essentials) at the time of his appointment being raised to “$16 Billion” (History, Business Insights: Essentials) in 1986. In the 1980s, United Technologies held “four principal divisions: Power Products, including aircraft engines…Flight Systems, which manufactured helicopters…Building Systems, encompassing the businesses of Otis and Carrier…Industrial Products, which produced various automotive parts” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). In the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, “public pressure to cut domestic defense budgets” (History, Business Insights: Essentials) and a “downturn in the commercial airline industry, intense global competition, and a worldwide recession” (History, Business Insights: Essentials), United Technologies faced poor financial performance. In addition, this period also witnessed a
  • 5. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies “saturation of the commercial real estate market” (History, Business Insights: Essentials) that lowered the demand for the products of “UTC’s Otis and Carrier subsidiaries” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). In this poor performance environment, the new CEO, Robert Danieli brought George David “who had been instrumental in the revival of both the Otis and Carrier units, on board as UTC president” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). David who also eventually became the CEO in 1994, instituted a number of downsizing actions and reforms that “focused on manufacturing, with the goals of shortening lead times, reducing capacity, and expediting processes” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). David’s actions did bore fruit and United Technologies “quadrupled… [its] earnings per share, and in the first 6 months of 1994 profit grew by 25% to $1.4 Billion, while sales increased by 26% to $18.3 Billion” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 198). United Technologies also sold its “automotive parts unit in the light of growing price pressure from automakers” (History, Business Insights: Essentials) and continued with other acquisitions such as Chubb “ranked as a leading supplier of electronic security and fire protection products” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). These acquisitions brought United Technologies “phenomenal revenue growth, pushing annual revenues from $24 Billion in 1999 to nearly $59 Billion a decade later” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). During David’s first ten years as the CEO, United Technologies improved its, “market capitalization from $8.6 Billion to more than $50 Billion, a massive increase that coincided with stock returns of approximately 650 percent during the period…ended 2004 with net income of $2.79 Billion, an 18 percent increase from the previous year’s total, and revenues
  • 6. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies of $37.45 Billion, a 21 percent increase over the same period” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). In 2006, United Technologies’ chief operating officer, Louis R. Chenevert assumed the role of CEO from George David. Currently, the company is described as a “diversified company engaged in providing technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries worldwide” (Company Profile United Technologies, MarketLine, August 2014, p. 3). In this manner, United Technologies “provides elevators and escalators, aircraft engines, helicopters, aircraft controls and sensing systems, and heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems” (MarketLine, August 2014, p. 3). The company’s geographical fields of operations are “across Latin America, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East” (United Technologies Corporation—Financial and Strategic Analysis Review, GlobalData, July 2014, p. 1). In its Website, United Technologies describes itself as providing “high technology products and solutions for the aerospace and commercial building industries, making modern life possible” (At a Glance, Our Businesses, United Technologies Website, n. d.). Here, United Technologies Building and Industrial Systems composed of Otis, Carrier, Chubb and other entities employs 120,786 employees generating $29.3 Billion in net sales in 2013 (At a Glance, Our Businesses, United Technologies Website, n. d.). Next, the company’s Propulsion & Aerospace Systems is divided into two sections with one headed by Pratt & Whitney division and other units that employs 31,700 employees and generated $14.5 Billion in net sales in 2013 (At a Glance, Our Businesses, United Technologies Website, n. d.). A further section called the Aerospace Systems division employs 41,738 employees and generated $13.3 Billion in net sales in 2013 (At a Glance, Our Businesses, United Technologies Website, n. d.). In addition, the
  • 7. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies Sikorsky division employs 16,542 employees and generated 6.3 Billion in net sales in 2013 (At a Glance, Our Businesses, United Technologies Website, n. d.). In 2014, United Technologies had 212,400 employees (Key Facts, Our Company, United Technology Web Site, n. d.). United Technologies defines its mission and vision as “our operating system” (Our Operating System, Our Company, United Technologies Website, n. d.) that, “fosters a culture of continuous improvement…We use our ACE operating system to achieve the highest levels of performance in everything we do, from developing new products to finding better ways to serve our customers” (Our Operating System, Our Company, United Technologies Website, n. d.). United Technologies Operating System which is called Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) concentrates on the “drivers of competitive excellence…people and…work processes” (Our Operating System, Our Company, United Technologies Website, n. d.). Here, the company states “leadership and empowered employees work together to implement ACE practices in all of our activities across every UTC business to benefit our customers and shareholders” (Our Operating System, Our Company, United Technologies Website, n. d.). ACE has, “three elements: culture, tools and competency…The daily interaction of each element is what makes it an operating system…Results focus on perfect quality, on-time delivery, highly engaged employees working in a safe environment, and best-in-class financial returns” (Our Operating System, Our Company, United Technologies Website, n. d.). Hill & Jones (2012) describe ACE as a “set of tasks and procedures that are used by employees from the shop floor to top managers to analyze all aspects of the way a product is
  • 8. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies made” (p. 197). Here the ultimate aim is to “find ways to improve quality and reliability, to lower costs of making the product, and especially to find ways to make the next generation of a particular product perform better—in other words, to encourage technological innovation” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 197). In this spirit, George David intended to make, “every employee in every function and at every level take responsibility for achieving the incremental, step-by-step gains that can result in innovative and efficient products that enable a company to dominate its industry—to push back the value creation frontier” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 197). As a result of these actions for enhancing performance, between the years 2000 and 2010, United Technologies’ revenue “more than doubled as manufacturing square footage…declined” (Roth, 2010, p. 3), expenditures were controlled and “significant productivity gains” (p. 3) were actualized. As George David stated in 2007, “operating margins for UTC’s businesses were 5% in the early 1990s, [in 2007] they’re 14% and headed to 17 or 18%” (Roth, 2010, p. 4). ACE facilitated UTC’s “organic growth of 7 to 9% from 2004 to 2007 (about twice U.S. GDP growth), 5% in 2008, and a free cash flow that equaled or exceeded net income attributable to common shareowners” (Roth, 2010, p. 5). In 2014, United Technologies had evolved into the “19th largest U.S. manufacturer” (Industry Week), the “45th largest U.S. Corporation” (Fortune), the “65th largest publicly held manufacturer in the world” (Industry Week), the “90th largest company in the world” (Forbes Global 2000), the “151st largest global corporation” (Fortune Global 500), “61st on the list of world’s greenest companies” (Newsweek), “2nd most admired aerospace and defense company” (Fortune) and “ranked among Barron’s list of world’s most respected companies” (Barron) (all the aforementioned rankings have been retrieved from: Key Facts, Our Company, United
  • 9. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies Technologies Web Site, n. d.). In addition, United Technology was also selected by Thomson Reuters as in the “top 100 global innovators” (Recognition, Shareowner Letter, 2013 Annual Report, Our Company, United Technology Web Site, n. d.) list. In 2013, United Technologies Corporation earned revenues of US$62,626 million which was an “increase of 8.5% over FY2012” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 1). In FY2013, United Technologies’ “operating margin was 14.7% compared to an operating margin of 13.3% in FY2012” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 1). In FY2013, “the company recorded a net margin of 9.1%, compared to a net margin of 8.9% in FY2012” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 1). In actual numbers, the operating profit of United Technologies in FY2013 was $9,209 million, “an increase of 19.8% over FY2012” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 3). The net profit of United Technologies in FY2013 was $5,721 million, “an increase of 11.5% over FY2012” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 3). Here, United Technologies Corporation’s revenues in 2009 stood at $52,425 million and its net income at $3,829.0 while as mentioned in 2013 those figures had climbed to $62,626 million and 5,721.0 million respectively. In 2013, the market capitalization of United Technologies was estimated at “99.37B” (UTX Competitors, United Technologies Corporation, Yahoo! Finance, n. d.) as opposed to its major competitors, The Boeing Corporation with a market capitalization of “88.96B” (Yahoo! Finance, n. d.) and General Electric Company with a market capitalization of “265.68B” (Yahoo! Finance, n. d.). In 2013, The Boeing Company’s revenues were estimated to be at “90.08B” (Yahoo! Finance, n. d.) and the General Electric Company’s revenues were recorded as “146.64B” (Yahoo/Finance, n. d.). In addition, in 2013, The Boeing Company’s net income stood at “5.21B” (Yahoo/Finance, n. d.) while the General Electric Company’s net income were recorded at “15.04B” (Yahoo/Finance, n. d.).
  • 10. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies Strategic Analysis As a diversified company, UTC produces “technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries worldwide” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 4). As mentioned earlier, UTC benefits from a “strong market presence, diversified business portfolio and operational efficiency” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) that have translated into a reduction of “business risks and provide cross selling opportunities” (p. 2). Nevertheless, UTC faces strong competitive forces in its business environment that places “continued pressure on the operations of the company, which may result in price discounting thus adversely impacting UTC’s financial condition and results of operations” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 4). In addition, UTC may also be negatively impacted by “changing technological trends and increasing production cost” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 2). In performing a Michael Porter’s Five Forces Model analysis, the first evaluation will take into consideration “the risk of entry by potential competitors” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 57). Here, potential competitors are defined as “companies that are not currently competing in an industry but have the capability to do so if they choose” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 58). Here, potential competitors may face “barriers to entry” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 58) that may prove too “costly for companies to enter an industry” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 58). In this respect, UTC is in a very favorable position with respect to this first competitive force due to the extreme high cost associated with entering the aerospace and building systems industries. UTC also enjoys a formidable competitive edge in this area due to the utilization of a wide array of sophisticated technologies that are implemented in the production of its diversified products. As a manufacturing organization, UTC uniquely benefits from positive economies of scale as opposed to its potential competitors that lead to “cost reductions gained through mass-
  • 11. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies producing a standardized output…discounts on bulk purchases of raw material inputs and component parts…advantages gained by spreading fixed production costs over a large production volume…and the cost savings associated with spreading marketing and advertising costs over a large volume of output” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 58). UTC companies also enjoy strong brand loyalty mostly based on “product innovation achieved through company research and development programs, an emphasis on high product quality, and good after-sales service” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 58). Here, divisions such as Pratt & Whitney is “one of the world’s leading suppliers of aircraft engines for the commercial, military, business jet and general aviation markets” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6), Sikorsky is one of the “world’s largest helicopter companies” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6), Chubb is the “leading brand in fire safety and security solutions” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2), Carrier Corporation is one of the “world’s largest manufacturers and distributers of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems…a global leader in the commercial refrigeration and food service equipment industry” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) and Otis is one of the “world’s largest elevator and escalator manufacturing , installation and service companies” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6). UTC also benefits from an absolute cost advantages mostly related to its Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Total Quality Management (TQM) system exercised religiously in all of its manufacturing and operational facilities. ACE is a process oriented series of procedures and practices that are aimed at improving “quality…reliability” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 197) cost savings and “technological innovation” (p. 197). Due to the very nature and character of UTC’s products such as aircraft engines, helicopters, aviation systems, elevators/escalators, HVAC systems or fire and security systems, the customer switching costs are rather high and they are likely to be “locked in to the product offerings” (Hill & Jones, 2012,
  • 12. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies p. 60) of the UTC. In addition, due to government regulation enforcing “automatic across-the- board cuts” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9), potential competitors may refrain from entering defense oriented markets where UTC holds a competitive advantage. In regards to Porter’s second competitive force labeled as “rivalry among established companies” (Hill & Jones, 2014, p. 61), UTC is facing a number of parallel competitive scenarios. First, UTC’s aerospace businesses are “subject to substantial competition from domestic manufacturers, foreign manufacturers and other companies that obtain regulatory agency approval to manufacture spare parts” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). Here, increasingly, the “U.S. and global defense, space and aerospace industries” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 61) are becoming “consolidated…dominated by a small number of large companies” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 61). This trend towards consolidation “intensifies competition as fewer players exist in the market” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 62) placing pressure on UTC’s financial performance. Nevertheless, the expansion of the global aircraft and airline markets in the next 20 years will result in an expanding “industry demand” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 62) level thereby moderating “competition by providing greater scope for companies to compete for customers” (p. 62). In regards to cost conditions, UTC is competing in an industry and businesses with extremely high rates of “fixed costs…that must be born before the firm makes a single sale” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 62). In an environment “where demand is not growing fast enough and too many companies are engaged in the same actions, cutting prices…in an attempt to cover fixed costs, the results can be intense rivalry and lower profits” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 62). In this light, as stated previously, UTC’s defense oriented businesses may experience increasing rivalry and competition related to lowering demand while the civilian, passenger and freight oriented
  • 13. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies aerospace services and products will face less rivalry and competition due to a growing aircraft market. UTC and all its competitors compete in industries and businesses where “exit barriers” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 63) are extremely high mostly due to “investments in assets such as specific machines, equipment, and operating facilities” (p. 63) and “the need to maintain expensive collection of assets at or above some minimum level in order to participate effectively in the industry” (p. 63). Here, with respect to the contracting defense oriented businesses, these high exit barriers will result in an increasing level of rivalry whereas the growing civilian aircraft and aerospace market will lessen the intensity of this rivalry in between UTC and its competitors. In relation to Porter’s third competitive force, the bargaining power of buyers, UTC is in an unfavorable position primarily due to the fact that one customer namely the U.S. Government comprised, “21% and 24% of total…aerospace systems segment sales in 2013 and 2012, respectively…Thus, a significant reduction in the purchase of the company’s products by government agencies or contractors for government agencies could result in less number of contracts, which in turn would adversely impact UTC’s revenues” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). As Hill & Jones (2012) observe, in situations “when the buyers purchase in large quantities…buyers can use their purchasing power as leverage to bargain for price reductions” (p. 64). On the other hand, UTC’s advanced technology and process efficiencies allow the company to offer cutting edge and high quality products that enhance its bargaining power with respect to all its buyers.
  • 14. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies In relation to Porter’s fourth competitive force, the bargaining power of suppliers, UTC “uses various raw materials such as cobalt, chromium steel, copper, aluminum, titanium and nickel” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4). Here, Hill & Jones (2012) observe that in situations when “the product that suppliers sell has few substitutes and is vital to the companies in an industry”, the bargaining power of suppliers is increased. However, UTC may partially balance this power disparity with respect to its suppliers due to its favorable “economies of scope” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 189) characteristics and capabilities. With respect to Porter’s fifth competitive force, the threat of substitute products, UTC is in an extremely favorable position due to its proprietary, innovative and cutting technology that is manifested in its high quality products. SWOT Analysis Strengths United Technologies (UTC) benefits from a “strategically Balanced” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 4) array of product lines and “revenues streams” (p. 4) that lowers its “business risks” (p. 4) and improves its “opportunities” (p. 4). The company’s different segments and divisions such as Otis, Pratt & Whitney, UTC aerospace systems, Carrier, Sikorsky, UTC climate/controls/security and others create a “strategically balanced portfolio [that] shields against unfavorable forces in a specific market by dispersing its business risks” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5) while offering it “opportunities available across various industries” (p. 5). UTC’s varied portfolio of companies and units allows for “research, development, and manufacturing of high technology products in diverse sectors, including aircraft engines, helicopters, HVAC, fuel cells, elevators and escalators, fire and security, building systems, and industrial products, among others” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). UTC has also created a balanced
  • 15. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies array of revenue streams with Otis in FY2013 holding “19.7% of the company’s total revenue, followed by climate, controls & security with 26.5%, P & W with 22.9%, aerospace systems with 21.1% and Sikorsky with 9.9% revenue” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). These well balanced revenue platforms allow UTC to better withstand slowdowns and contractions in certain sectors and segments while generating revenue in other businesses. As indicated earlier, UTC also benefited from “strong growth in its operating performance in FY2013” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) with revenues of $62,626 million that was “an increase of 8.5% over the previous year” (p. 2). UTC’s operating income in FY2013 was $9,209 million that was “an increase of 19.85% over the previous” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) year. In addition, in FY2013, UTC’s net income stood at $5,721 million that was “an increase of 11.5% over the previous year” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). In relation to UTC’s operating expenses as a percentage of sales in FY2013, they stood at “85.2%, as compared to 86.6% in the previous year” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). In addition, UTC’s operating margin in FY2013 was “14.7%...as compared to 13.3% in 2012” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). This particular important improvement involving the operating margin indicates that UTC’s “revenue increased at a higher rate than that of its expenses” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). The aforementioned positive financial data related to FY2013 illustrates that UTC stands in a favorable position in order to secure “investor’s confidence” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) in addition to projecting a “positive outlook for the future” (p. 2). A further strength of UTC is in the very dominance of its individual businesses such as UTC fire & security, Sikorsky, Chubb, Carrier, Pratt & Whitney, Otis, UTC aerospace and others in their respective fields that leads to garnering “profitable growth, stellar performance, and successful expansion of its offerings” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2). UTC’s brands hold “market
  • 16. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies leadership” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 2) in their particular disciplines that allow the company to “enjoy disproportional share of the industry’s overall profits” (p. 2). All this leads to UTC benefiting from “strong recognition across varied categories [that] ensures its status as one of the strongest players in the industry, which further enhance the brand of the company and gives it a competitive advantage” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6). A fundamental pillar of UTC’s success and prominence emanates from “a strong emphasis on research and development…to deliver innovative products and technologies” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). Here, UTC’s research and development (R&D) center in East Hartford, Connecticut called the United Technologies Research Center concentrates on “developing new technologies and upgrading existing technologies in the fields of aerospace propulsion, building infrastructure and services, heating and air conditioning, fire and security systems and power generation” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). UTC also runs three additional R&D centers in China, Ireland and California while conducting “R&D work under contracts funded by the U.S. government and other customers” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). A large portion of UTC’s research budget is devoted to “aerospace businesses” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). The company’s heavy emphasis on R&D facilitates adding “newer features to its existing range of products and launch latest technologies in the varied areas” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5) that eventually leads to developing “proprietary products…and…an advantage over its competitors” (p. 6). Weaknesses UTC generates a large portion of its revenues in the U.S. that may negatively influence its “growth prospects” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6) in the event that “the economy and/or the company’s sales in the U.S. do not grow as expected” (p. 6). UTC received “57.5%” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6) of its revenues in the U.S., its “largest geographical
  • 17. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies market…accounting for $35,994 million” (p. 6). In addition, a considerable amount of UTC’s revenue is “derived from contracts or subcontracts funded by the U.S. non-governmental customers” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6). This relatively high level of exposure may lead to UTC’s vulnerability “if these customers fail to render business to the company as a result of performance problems or financial difficulties” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 6). The important issue here for UTC will be “overdependence on one region or customer for majority of…revenues [that] could affect the growth prospects of the company” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7). UTC’s growth potential may also be negatively impacted by its “considerable debt obligations” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7) that in FY2013 and FY2012 stood at “$20,241” (p. 7) and “$23,221” (p. 7) respectively. These high levels of debt have led to FY2013 and FY2012 interest payments of “$897 million and $773 million…respectively” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7). UTC’s elevated debt levels “could impact its ability to obtain additional financing to support its expansion plans” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7) in addition to diverting its “cash flows from operations and expansion plans to service the fixed obligations” (p. 7). Furthermore, a failure on the part of UTC to subsidize its debt from “cash flow from operations…would force the company to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance its indebtedness, which in turn would further impact its performance” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7). Opportunities UTC will benefit from the improving aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market as “most airlines are focusing to reduce costs and increase profits” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7). Here, MRO will assist airlines to “lower their cost bases by optimizing the MRO structure and maintenance schedules of the fleet” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7) while MRO software may
  • 18. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies bring “considerable money savings to differently structured providers as the number of aircraft being used around the globe increases” (p. 7). This need for “efficient MRO systems and cutting edge information technology” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7) will translate into a “global aviation MRO market” (p. 7) in the amount of “$57.5 billion in 2014 and grow to $86.5 billion by 2024” (p. 7). In general, MRO may form “up to 20% of an airline’s operating costs” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7). All in all, the world-wide airline industry will grow significantly in the coming years and UTC will benefit from this expansion. In this light, the passenger aircraft and freighter aircraft market is “expected to reach US$4 trillion by 2031” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3) and in between “2012-2031, the demand for new passenger aircraft is expected to grow with an average rate of 3.80% per annum to per year to reach 32, 551” (p. 3). One estimate is projecting “27,347 new passenger aircraft” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3) and “900 freighter aircraft” (p. 3) will be ordered in the next 20 years. This demand for new aircraft will be mostly received from “North America (41.00%), Asia-Pacific (30.00%), Europe (16.00%)” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3). As a major producer of “spare parts for aircrafts” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3), UTC will be a major beneficiary of this expanding trend. In addition, UTC is a major supplier of “aircraft engines for the commercial, military, business jet and general aviation markets” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 7) and as mentioned previously offers MRO services “including the sale of spare parts, as well as fleet management services for large commercial engines” (p. 7). Furthermore, UTC is in the business of providing “aftermarket helicopter and aircraft parts and services” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 7). The net result of this world-wide expansion of aviation in the coming years is the creation of significant business opportunities for UTC.
  • 19. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies An additional area of business growth opportunity for UTC is the acquiring of “a number of strategic acquisitions in the recent past to boost its product portfolio and diversify geographical presence” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 8). These “strategic business acquisitions” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 8) will help UTC to expand its “global presence and revenues” (p. 8). Furthermore, the world-wide market for HVAC equipment will expand significantly in the coming years experiencing a rise of “approximately 6% per year through 2018 to approximately $113 billion” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 8). This expansion is rooted in the increasing “building construction activity worldwide and improved spending in developed areas” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 8) in addition to “rising personal incomes that enable a wider array of individuals to purchase comfort equipment” (p. 8). UTC will also continue to benefit from a formidable “partnering network through contracts” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3) that will “enable the company to enhance its presence the world over and capture larger market share” (p. 3). Here, as mentioned previously, UTC’s R&D competencies will enable the company to “deploy innovative technology and deliver advance products, and services that meet its customers’ critical needs” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3). These R&D competencies will “focus on improving the performance of products and developing new technologies” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 3) in the “building systems and aerospace industries” (p. 3) in addition to improving the company’s “technological advantages” (p. 3). Threats UTC’s aerospace businesses are “subject to substantial competition from domestic manufacturers, foreign manufacturers and other companies that obtain regulatory agency approval to manufacture spare parts” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). This high level of competition involving “engines and components” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9) will also effect “later sales of
  • 20. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies parts and services” (p. 9). Furthermore, governmental procedures regarding the purchasing of “parts from suppliers other than the original equipment manufacturer” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9) will also be a factor in this equation. Simultaneously, the “U.S. and global defense, space and aerospace industries” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9) are experiencing a period of consolidation that will “intensify competition” (p. 9) and lower the “number of principal prime contractors in the U.S.” (p. 9). The resulting competition will place “continued pressure on the operations of the company, which may result in price discounting thus adversely impacting UTC’s financial condition and results of operations” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). An additional area of concern for UTC will be the “declining defense spending by the U.S. government [that] could adversely impact revenues” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). Here “automatic across-the-board cuts” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9) will seriously impact the “company’s business and industry” (p. 9). Here, a decrease in revenues generated from ‘the purchase of the company’s products by government agencies or contractors for government agencies could result in less number of contracts , which in turn would adversely impact UTC’s revenues” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 9). Furthermore, UTC may experience a termination of its contracts with the U.S. government “either for the convenience of the government or for default as a result of failure to perform under the applicable contract” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4). The markets that host UTCs operations are subject to “rapid and significant changes due to the introduction of innovative technologies” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4). Consequently, UTC is compelled to continually “design new, and update existing products and services and invest in and develop new technologies in order to meet needs and requirements of the market” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4). The alteration or improvement in technology “requires a significant
  • 21. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies commitment to research and development, which in return requires considerable financial resources that may not always result in success” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4). UTC also depends on “various raw material such as cobalt, chromium steel, copper, aluminum, titanium and nickel” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4) whose prices form a major portion of the “company’s total cost of goods sold” (p. 4). Here, an increase in the “commodity price, the cost of raw materials and energy” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4) will significantly affect the revenue and income of the company. In addition, UTC relies on numerous “foreign sources for certain raw materials requirements which could be affected by economic and political situations” (GlobalData, 2014, p. 4). Furthermore, as a major global company, UTC is vulnerable to “fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rate [that] could adversely impact operations and financial results” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 4). In this light, UTCs business is extremely sensitive to economic trends and currency fluctuations that may “affect product demand and reported profits in the company’s non-U.S. operations (primarily the commercial businesses), where transactions are generally denominated in local currencies” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 10). These currency fluctuations also impact “the prices the company pays its suppliers for materials used in its products” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 10). Importantly, with respect to foreign transactions “a strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against other major foreign currencies could adversely impact UTC’s results of operations” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 10). An Analysis of United Technologies Corporations’ Diversification Strategy United Technologies Corporation (UTC) is an extremely efficient diversified company whose roots may be traced to the beginning of the aviation age. UTC and its related companies
  • 22. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies such as Pratt & Whitney have been instrumental in the service of this country most notably during WWII. During its long history, UTC has also faced challenges when its core markets related to the U.S. government’s expenditures on defense have contracted thereby necessitating the creation of alternative strategies. Through time, UTC has adopted and implemented these alternative strategies mostly by diversifying its business holdings and leveraging its technological expertise, process efficiencies, “learning effects” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 94) and “distinctive competencies” (119) to establish and preserve competitive advantage in many of its operational markets. In evaluating the general dangers and disadvantages involved in diversification, Hill & Jones (2012) observe that “companies that spread their resources too thin, in order to compete in several different product markets, run the risk of starving their fast-growing core business of the resources needed to expand rapidly…The result is loss of competitive advantage in the core business and-often-failure” (p. 174). In addition, Hill & Jones (2012) state that “many mature companies that expand over time into too many different businesses and markets find our later that they have stretched their resources too far and that their performance declines as a result” (p. 174). An important point must be emphasized at this juncture that in evaluating UTC’s history, acquisitions have been made in order to lessen the reliance of the company on one customer (U.S. government/Pentagon) or one industry (defense industry). As stated previously, Harry Gray, the CEO of UTC’s predecessor, United Aircraft “sought to reduce…dependence on the Pentagon and began a purchasing program in an effort to diversify the business” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). In this pursuit, a majority interest was purchased in Otis Elevator in 1975 and Carrier Corporation was also bought in 1983. Similarly, in 1975 “United Aircraft
  • 23. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies changed its name to United Technologies (UTC)…in order to emphasize the diversification of the company’s business” (History, Business Insights: Essentials). Here, it is essential to note that as the company during certain periods of its history has implemented a strategy of “growth through acquisition” (History, Business Insights: Essentials), it has also relentlessly attempted to create synergy among different units by implementing UTC’s core/distinctive competencies mostly in relation to technology and process efficiencies. Consequently, in light of the observations of Hill & Jones (2012) concerning the dangers and disadvantages of diversification, it must be stated that UTC’s acquisitions have added value and strength to the portfolio of the company due to the technological and process oriented commonalities that have been adopted among all the acquired companies. Hill & Jones (2012) describe diversification as the “process of entering one or more industries that are distinct or different from a company’s core or original industry, in order to find ways to use its distinctive competencies to increase the value of products in those industries to consumers” (p. 187). In addition, Hill & Jones (2012) state that diversification “should enable the company, or its individual business units, to perform one or more of the value chain functions either at a lower cost or in way that results in higher differentiation and premium prices” (p. 187). As a high performing diversified manufacturing company, UTC through the usage of its sophisticated array of technologies and process efficiencies (Achieving Competitive Excellence/ACE) has attempted to achieve differentiation and operational cost savings with respect to its competitors thereby creating value for its consumers. Hill & Jones (2012) hold that “diversification can help a company create greater value in three main ways…by permitting superior internal governance…by transferring competencies among businesses…by realizing economies of scope” (p. 187). In relation to facilitating
  • 24. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies superior internal governance, “top managers…develop strategies that improve the competitive positioning of its business units in the industries where they compete” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 187). Most importantly, in introducing an acquisition and restructuring strategy top managers must search “out ways to improve the business unit’s efficiency, quality innovativeness, and responsiveness to customers” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 188) in addition to establishing “performance goals that cannot be met without significant improvements in operating efficiency” (p. 188). As illustrated in the case titled “United Technologies has an Ace in Its Pockets” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 197) this is precisely what transpired under the leadership of George David, through the introduction of Achieving Competitive Advantage (ACE) processes across UTC’s numerous divisions and business units. David who was named UTC president in 1992 and subsequently CEO in 1994 became a champion for, adopted, refined and implemented many of the total quality management (TQM) oriented processes that were introduced in the Otis Elevator successful turnaround by Yuzuru Ito. The ACE reforms which were adopted across UTC’s many businesses were intended at “reducing…cost structure and increasing its ROIC” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 197) while also improving “efficiency and quality” (p. 197). The major goals of the ACE processes are to improve “quality and reliability, to lower the cost of making the product…to encourage technological innovation” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 197). In relation to creating value in diversification through transferring competencies among businesses, Hill & Jones (2012) hold that “for a company to create value from diversification is to transfer its existing distinctive competencies in one or more value creation functions (for example, manufacturing, marketing, materials management, and R&D) to other industries” (p. 188). Here, UTC mainly utilizes its distinctive competencies in manufacturing, materials
  • 25. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies management and R&D in order to create value across its divisions and entities. As mentioned previously, at the most fundamental level, UTC, “Conducts its R&D activities through United Technologies Research Center located in East Hartford, Connecticut…The center is focused on developing new technologies and upgrading existing technologies in the fields of aerospace propulsion, building infrastructure and services, heating and air conditioning, fire and security systems and power generation” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). UTC’s research headquarters and three other R&D centers in China, Ireland and California create a shared system wide foundation based on technological innovation and process efficiencies such as ACE in order to introduce “newer features to its existing range of products and launch latest technologies in the varied areas” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). This pattern for adopting system wide standards is also implemented through UTC’s “business operating system” (Roth, 2010, p. 6) which is defined as a, “Way of managing…based on a broad approach and philosophy, using specific tools and methods, supported by dedicated people, departments and training that are tied to overall measurements, reporting and reward systems…Ace is used as UTC’s operating system because managers at multiple levels have confidence in it, confidence that they have gained form their experience using ACE” (p. 6). The roots of ACE maybe traced to Toyota’s production standards and methodologies such as the kaizen events which are, “An intense, short-term project accomplished by rapidly implementing changes such as new work cell organization, improved machine setup, or streamlined processes…consultants
  • 26. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies [lead] work area groups in eliciting information about their current operation, brainstormed improvement ideas, selected among options, and made immediate changes” (Roth, 2014, p. 20). ACE is also related to the concepts of lean manufacturing that is defined as a, “Production philosophy that seeks to supply exactly what the customer wants, when the customer wants it…Furthermore, lean manufacturing aims at supplying those goods and services with minimum waste, where waste in production is reduced through continuous improvements of the production process…The core idea is that eliminating waste along value streams, creates processes that need less capital, human resources, less production space, and reduces the time to make products and services…if implemented effectively, reduce the cost of producing goods and services, reduce the number of defect products and produce and deliver goods quickly to customers” (What is lean Manufacturing?, Business Mate.Org, n. d.). These concepts and processes were gradually adopted and reformed by UTC in its system wide manufacturing operations in order to “institutionalize quality” (Roth, 2010, p. 26), implement “mistake proofing” (p. 23) and promote “waste elimination” (p. 24). As an operating system, eventually ACE came to be viewed as described by one UTC executive as a “strategic, competitive” (Roth, 2010, p. 35) tool that, “engages and empowers all of our employees to achieve world-class products and processes to delight our customers, shareholders, and associates” (p. 35). Here, ACE has also been defined by UTC as “our individual and collective daily management system to maximize the flow of value to our customers, employees, and investors” (as cited in Roth, 2010, p. 52). The elements of ACE operating system are, “Culture (focus on customer, valuing people, and common language), tools (defined methods for process improvement, problem solving, and decision making), and the competency
  • 27. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies in the culture to implement the tools (through education, sharing best practices, and quality clinics)” (Roth, 2014, p. 52). In relation to economies of scope, Hill & Jones (2012) state that “when two or more business units can share resources or capabilities such as manufacturing facilities, distribution channels, advertising campaigns, and R&D costs, total operating costs fall because of economies of scope” (p. 189). Here economies of scope may be realized when “there is a real opportunity for sharing the skills and services of one or more of the value creation functions between a company’s existing and new business systems” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 191). This indeed is the precise function of the previously mentioned United Technologies Research Center and the three additional R&D operations in China, Ireland and California that accumulate, develop and distribute technological innovation across UTC divisions and entities. These research centers are financed and supported system wide through UTC’s R&D budget that for FY2013 amounted to “$2.5 billion or 4% of total sales, as compared with $2.4 billion or 4.1% of total sales in FY2012” (MarketLine, 2014, p. 5). In addition, the aforementioned UTC’s operating system namely the ACE practices and methodologies are additional process oriented capabilities that are shared and implemented throughout UTC’s divisions and businesses. Furthermore, as stated previously, UTC and its companies purchase “raw materials such as cobalt, chromium steel, copper, aluminum, titanium and nickel” (GLobalData, 2014, p. 4). These procurements provide UTC and its associated entities purchasing power versus their suppliers due to the collective volume that is garnered from these sources. Hill & Jones (2012) describe an unrelated diversification as “diversification into a new business or industry that has no obvious value chain connection with any of the businesses or
  • 28. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies industries in which a company is currently operating” (p. 192). Such a company is referred to as a conglomerate where the “unrelated company cannot create value by sharing resources and transferring competencies” (p. 192). On the other hand, in a related diversification strategy among two businesses, “some form of linkage or connection between one or more components of each business unit’s value chain” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 192) are observed. In general “these linkages are based on manufacturing, marketing, or technological connections or similarities” (Hill & Jones, 2012, p. 192). There are a number of potential dangers and disadvantages that are associated with an unrelated diversification strategy. Here, potential companies “might risk neglecting its core capabilities and become too diversified, where too many different products supplied to different markets might have negative effects on products and services, where…product quality or uniqueness might suffer due to the shift in focus on different products and services” (What is a Diversification Strategy, Business Mate, n. d.). Specifically, with respect to unrelated diversification or conglomerate diversification, the potential disadvantage may be traced to the, “Increase in administrative problems associated with operating unrelated businesses…Managers from different divisions may have different backgrounds and may be unable to work together effectively…Competition between strategic business units for resources may entail shifting resources away from one division to another…Such a move may create rivalry and administrative problems between the units” (Diversification Strategy, Reference for Business, n. d.).
  • 29. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies In addition, the danger of entering businesses where the “management team lacks experience or skill” (Diversification Strategy, Reference for Business, n. d.) is the reality that, “Without some knowledge of the new industry, a firm may be unable to accurately evaluate the industry’s potential…Even if the new business is initially successful, problems will eventually occur…Executives from the conglomerate will have to become involved in the operations of the new enterprise at some point…Without adequate experience or skills…the new business may become a poor performer” (Diversification Strategy, Reference for Business, n. d.). Indeed, in the long run the total performance of the diversified company “may deteriorate because of controls placed on the individual units by the parent conglomerate…Decision making may become slower due to longer review periods and complicated reporting systems” (Diversification Strategy, Reference for Business, n. d.). However, UTC through the system wide implementation of its ACE operating system and a relentless drive for technological innovation has been able to withstand and overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of unrelated diversification such as poor quality, management unfamiliarity or lack of experience, scarcity of resources due to system wide usage and process inefficiencies. Here, UTC’s corporate-level strategy of unrelated diversification creates value by continuously fulfilling the commitments that the company “promises to its customers, employees, shareholders, and local communities” (Roth, 2010, p. 36). These commitments that are repeatedly and consistently “shared across UTC” (Roth, 2010, p. 36) are as follows: “1) Performance—customers have a choice so set ambitious goals and use customer feedback to reset direction, 2) Innovation—commitment to research and development, sharing ideas, and encouraging diversity of experience and opinion, 3) Opportunity—inspiration creates
  • 30. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies opportunities, strive to continuously improve, pursue lifelong learning, take risks, cooperate and learn, 4) Responsibility—maintain highest ethical, environmental, and safety standards everywhere, and 5) Results—meet aggressive targets whatever the economic environment, communicate honestly, and deliver what is promised” (Roth, 2010, p. 37). Most importantly, UTC’s commitments are a collection of shared “goals” (Roth, 2010, p. 37) that all its organizational leaders are “expected to achieve…They are integral to the fabric of the ACE culture” (Roth, 2010, p. 37). Here, specifically in relation to the relationship in- between quality and productivity an ACE Council in UTC has observed that in operational transformation, “Productivity (flow) can’t happen until quality is in place first. UTC’s essential learning is that quality and productivity reinforce one another. We have also learned that, from a teaching point of view, employees grasp the significance of quality much faster when asked to try to create flow first, than when asked to learn quality principles for the sake of quality” (Roth, 2010, p. 38). The aforementioned illustrations of UTC’s single minded focus on process oriented competitive advantage has resulted in an organization that the former CEO George David observes, “manufacturing productivity is at super high levels” (as cited in Roth, 2010, p. 4). Indeed, through a disciplined and focused implementation of the ACE operating system and leveraging its cutting edge technology, UTC has been extremely successful in pursuing its unrelated diversification strategy. Here, in an analysis of the decade of 2000 by Reuters (Mnyandu, January 4, 2010), UTC has ranked as the number one industrial company “providing an increase in its valuation of 155.49%...UTC was closely followed by only caterpillar and 3M with triple-digit percentage gains” (as cited in Roth, 2010, p. 49).
  • 31. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies Furthermore, as illustrated earlier in this paper, UTC has been able to maintain similar levels of financial performance in FY2012 and FY2013 in addition to receiving other commendations from independent evaluating organizations. Here, UTCs “technological innovations and performance improvements are the ultimate source of sustainable business advantage and customer satisfaction” (Roth, 2010, p. 49). Ultimately, UTC may be referred to as a diversified company utilizing an unrelated diversification strategy, however in reality, the system wide implementation of ACE has resulted in a high degree of process oriented commonality across the company’s various divisions and entities. This customer focused, innovative and process efficient ACE standards and practices together with its cutting edge technology are the engines that have sustained UTCs value creation efforts. Conclusion UTC is often labeled as a diversified company engaging in unrelated diversification. The company owns and operates a number of world’s leading technologically oriented brands such as Pratt & Whitney, Otis, Carrier, UTC aerospace systems, Chubb and others. Many of UTC’s divisions are the most respected and highest performing companies in their particular operational environment. What has made this high level of technological innovation, process efficiency and financial performance possible is UTC’s legendary operating system titled Achieving Competitive Advantage (ACE). ACE methodologies place a laser like focus on upholding quality, productivity, efficiency and customer satisfaction thereby facilitating technological innovation and competitive advantage for UTC.
  • 32. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies References Business Mate (n. d.). What is a diversification strategy? Article Search. Retrieved November 7, 2014 from Business Mate. Org Website: http://www.businessmate.org/Article.php?ArtikelId=197 . Business Mate (n. d.). What is lean manufacturing? Article Search. Retrieved November 11, 2014 from Business Mate. Org Website: http://www.businessmate.org/Article.php?ArtikelId=197 . Gale Business Insights: Essentials (2014). United Technologies Corporation. International Directory of Company Histories. Document Number: Gale/CX2283600097. Gale Business Insight: Essentials. Gale Cengage. Business Research. Northeastern University Libraries. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from Northeastern University Libraries Website: http://library.northeastern.edu/find/resources/items/business-insight- essentials-gale-cengage . GlobalData (July 23, 2014). United Technologies Corporation - Financial and strategic analysis review. Global Data. Gale Business Insight: Essentials. Gale Cengage. Business Research. Northeastern University Libraries. Retrieved November 10 from Northeastern University Libraries Website: http://library.northeastern.edu/find/resources/items/business-insight-essentials-gale- cengage . Hill, C. W. L. & Jones, G. R. (2012). Essentials of strategic management. Mason, OH: South Western Cengage Learning.
  • 33. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies MarketLine (August 28, 2014). Company Profile United Technologies Corporation. MarketLine. Business Source Complete Database. EbscoHost. Business Research. Northeastern University Libraries. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from Northeastern University Libraries Website: http://library.northeastern.edu/find/resources/items/business-source-complete-ebscohost . Mnyandu, E. (January 4, 2010). Wall Street’s lost decade eclipses an upbeat 2009/Reuters. In G. Roth, United Technologies Corporation: Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE), Operating System Case Study. Lean Advancement Initiative. Sloan School of Management. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from United Technologies Corporation Website: http://www.utc.com/Our- Company/Our-Operating-System/Documents/UTC_ACE_CaseStudy.pdf . Reference for Business (n. d.). Diversification strategy. Encyclopedia of Business (2nd ed.). Retrieved November 7, 2014 from Reference for Business Website: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/De-Ele/Diversification-Strategy.html Roth, G. (2010). United Technologies Corporation: Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE), Operating System Case Study. Lean Advancement Initiative. Sloan School of Management. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from United Technologies Corporation Website: http://www.utc.com/Our- Company/Our-Operating-System/Documents/UTC_ACE_CaseStudy.pdf . United Technologies Corporation (n. d.). At a Glance. Our Businesses. United Technologies Website. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from United Technologies Corporations Website: http://www.utc.com/Our-Businesses/Pages/At-A-Glance.aspx .
  • 34. UnitedTechnologiesDiversificationStrategies United Technologies Corporation (n. d.). Key Facts. Our Company. United Technologies Website. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from United Technologies Corporations Website: http://www.utc.com/Our-Businesses/Pages/At-A-Glance.aspx . United Technologies Corporation (n. d.). Our Operating System: Achieving Competitive Excellence. Our Company. United Technologies Website. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from United Technologies Corporations Website: http://www.utc.com/Our- Businesses/Pages/At-A-Glance.aspx . United Technologies Corporation (n. d.). Recognition. Shareowner Letter. 2013 Annual Report. Our Company. United Technologies Website. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from United Technologies Corporations Website: http://www.utc.com/Our- Businesses/Pages/At-A-Glance.aspx . Yahoo! Finance (n. d.). United Technologies Corporations (UTX). Competitors. Retrieved November 10, 2014 from Yahoo! Finance Website: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/co?s=UTX+Competitors .