GulfWestern

Gulf+Western Industries, Inc., commonly referred to as Gulf+Western, was an American conglomerate active from the mid-20th century until the early 1990s. Founded in 1956 by Charles Bluhdorn, the company was headquartered in New York City and grew through acquisitions across diverse industries, including resources, manufacturing, publishing, and entertainment. The conglomerate pursued a strategy of decentralization, allowing its operating units a high degree of autonomy.

Among its best-known holdings were Paramount Pictures, the major film studio, and Simon & Schuster, the publishing house. These media assets became central to Gulf+Western’s business portfolio as the group reduced focus on non-media businesses and concentrated on entertainment and publishing.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Gulf+Western reorganized around its media properties. In 1994, the company’s successor, Paramount Communications, was acquired by Viacom, and the Gulf+Western corporate umbrella ceased to exist as a separate entity, with its assets integrated into Viacom’s operations. The acquisition marked the end of Gulf+Western as an independent holding company and shaped the later structure of Viacom’s media and publishing interests.