Dow and DuPont merge in $130 billion deal

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Aubrey Gibson's company, McGill Maintenance, services pumps and compressors. Dow is a prime customer for them. After 43 years in the business he's  seen ups and downs. This news merger doesn’t faze him.

"Fresh is the word for it. Some of us were kicking it around in the shop this morning. We've got to wait and see what happens. That's just the way it is." he says.

Dow and DuPont made the 130 billion dollar deal official on their websites this morning. The  new company will be DowDuPont and it will then split off into three separate companies. One will focus on agricultural products, another on material science, and another on specialty products.

DuPont has says ten percent of its employees could be impacted. Dow hasn't released any number yet.  Does that mean layoffs? Hotel worker Lori Ortiz hopes not. A lot of Dow contractors say at her place.

"About 80-85 percent of it is from Dow. From this plant right here. The majority of it is."

But others are optimistic. Dow has been expanding around here.. They don't see why the company wouldn't continue to do so.

"I think it would be wonderful. It would help everybody. More jobs. Make it better for the community." says Lonnie Williams.

Dows stock dropped over two percent on news of the merger.