United Technologies Corporation: Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE): Operating System Case Study

Abstract

United Technologies Corporation (abbreviated UTC, NYSE ticker symbol UTX) is a large, industrial conglomerate that designs, manufactures, and services a broad range of products, ranging from air conditioners and elevators to jet engines and helicopters. At the end of 2008, UTC's sales were $58.7 billion, its market capitalization over $50 billion, making it the 39th company on the Fortune 500 list. What is ACE, how did it develop, and how is it evolving? What lessons might other corporations, leaders, and managers draw from ACE for improving their businesses? These questions are investigated and reported in this case study.