Dow extends IT services agreement with IBM through 2014, contract includes integration of Rohm and Haas into Dow's global IT infrastructure

Liling Tan

ARMONK, New York , July 15, 2009 (press release) – IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it has signed a five-year information technology (IT) services agreement with The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW). As part of the global agreement, IBM will help with the integration of Rohm and Haas Company into Dow's worldwide IT infrastructure. This agreement is consistent with and will help enable Dow's $1.3 billion synergy target related to the acquisition of Rohm and Haas Company.

Under the new contract, IBM will take on additional service responsibilities for Dow including:

* Global Service Desk - implementation of a consolidated service desk for 50,000 users -- which also leverages integrated tools to assist Dow in providing services to its joint ventures
* Global Software Distribution Services - delivered consistently via IBM's Software Packaging Management Services to 50,000 users globally
* Workstation Support
* Audio Conferencing and Voice Optimization Services

In addition to these services, this agreement includes base infrastructure support for network, servers and desk-side field services across 53 countries.

"IT provides a strong competitive advantage for Dow," said Dave Kepler, executive vice president, business services, chief sustainability officer, and CIO. "This alliance will help assure that we retain our leading position, supporting the company's growth strategy with enabling technologies."

"By integrating and simplifying the IT approach across its global enterprise, Dow will be better positioned to achieve core business synergy objectives," said Scott Hopkins, IBM Global Technology Services, general manager, Industrial Sector. "IBM is pleased to continue working with Dow to support their strategic priorities and create an IT infrastructure that achieves new levels of flexibility, responsiveness, resiliency and performance."

The new agreement, signed in June 2009, builds upon a decades-long relationship between IBM and Dow and expands the original outsourcing services contract signed in 2004.

About Dow

With sales of $58 billion in 2008 and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008 and 15,000 employees worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

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