Editing WR Grace Trust (section)

=== Corporate Evolution: From Shipping to Chemicals ===

After William Russell Grace's death in 1904, the company expanded dramatically:

'''Early 20th Century:'''
* Continued dominance in South American shipping and trade
* Expanded into banking and agriculture

'''Mid-20th Century Transformation:'''
* '''1954:''' Acquired Davison Chemical Corporation, entering the chemical industry
* '''1963:''' Acquired Zonolite Company and the Libby, Montana vermiculite mine
* Rapidly became one of America's largest specialty chemical manufacturers

'''Late 20th Century:'''
* Diversified into construction materials, restaurants, and retail
* Peak employment reached tens of thousands worldwide
* Asbestos liabilities began mounting in the 1980s and 1990s

{| style="width:100%; background:#e8f4f8; border:1px solid #1a5276; border-left:5px solid #1a5276; border-radius:4px; margin:1em 0; padding:15px;"
|-
| style="padding:10px;" | "''The W.R. Grace story is one of the starkest examples of corporate transformation we see in asbestos litigation. A company founded by an immigrant who became mayor grew into a chemical giant—and then knowingly poisoned an entire town while concealing the dangers for decades.''" — '''Paul Danziger''', Founding Partner, [https://dandell.com/advocates/ Danziger & De Llano]
|}