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A Closer Look Creates Better Drugs
image The DOWPHARMASM team providing BioAqueousSM solubilization services is working with pharmaceutical companies to create more soluble versions of new drugs.
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   Local, Regional Economic Impact
Financial Results of the Triple Bottom Line
  Facts and Figures
  Return on Equity
  Return on Capital
  Six Sigma
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Six Sigma – The Way We Work to Improve Productivity, Cost Control and Efficiency


Dow began its implementation of Six Sigma in 1999. In each subsequent year, Dow has continued its Six Sigma commitment with renewed vigor. Through our implementation of Six Sigma, Dow has gained increasing value while equipping employees with critical problem-solving skills and a mindset for reducing variation and defect.

Six Sigma is both a set of tools and a way of thinking.  It leads to breakthrough improvement using the Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (MAIC) process to improve existing products, work processes and behaviors. Six Sigma also encompasses innovation, utilizing Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology to develop new designs or redesigns that result in competitively advantaged products, services, processes, and systems.

Incorporating the breakthrough tools and thinking of Six Sigma in all that we do benefits each and every aspect of the Triple Bottom Line.

Since our implementation of Six Sigma as a Company-wide discipline, Six Sigma projects have contributed to our Company’s economic results in the form of productivity gains, opportunity growth, and cost savings. At Dow, Six Sigma goes beyond dollars and manufacturing efficiency improvements. In 2003, the tools and methodology of Six Sigma were put to work on more than 300 projects related to Environment, Health, and Safety (EH&S) activities. These projects were primarily focused on 2005 EH&S goals and productivity targets. One Six Sigma project focused on improving water treatment at a major manufacturing complex. In the end, this project delivered effective, efficient wastewater treatment and managed to save Dow approximately $3 million.

We're also applying our Six Sigma mindset to improve our social performance – because we view employee dissatisfaction and shortcomings in community relations as defects in our operations, the same as waste generation or shortfalls in plant productivity.

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DOWPHARMASM and BioAqueousSM are service marks of The Dow Chemical Company.