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Commerce pivot story / founded 1897

Shell pivot story

A seashell import business became an energy giant.

Shell logo

Seashells -> oil supermajor

Before

Importing and selling decorative seashells.

to

After

Oil, gas, and energy.

The pivot story

The company moved from shells and trading into transporting oil, eventually becoming part of Royal Dutch Shell.

Why it worked

It used trading and shipping capabilities to enter a massive industrial market.

Known for

Energy

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