ANN
ARBOR, Mich., April 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wacker Chemical Corporation's
pioneering site in the United
States announces its 60th anniversary celebration for
Saturday, April 27. Originating from
Munich, Germany, WACKER began
silicone manufacturing in Adrian,
Michigan, in 1969. The facility was initially built and
owned by Stauffer Chemicals in 1964. WACKER assumed full ownership
in 1987.
"We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude and
congratulations to the Wacker Chemical Corporation in Adrian upon its 60th anniversary,"
said State of Michigan Governor
Gretchen Whitmer. "Over the last six
decades, the Wacker Chemical Corporation in Adrian has sought to build innovative and
environmentally conscious products that power important industries
in our state and around the globe."
Guided by WACKER's global leadership, the Adrian facility has been at the forefront of
silicone manufacturing in the U.S., driving innovation and
contributing significantly to various emerging industries.
Leveraging WACKER's expertise in silicone raw materials, fluids,
and emulsions, the site has played a pivotal role in advancing
automotive technologies and introducing specialized silicone
applications, such as silicone-coated dressings and bandages for
wound care. These products boast skin-friendly properties, superior
adhesive qualities, and enhanced patient comfort, meeting the
evolving needs of consumers in the healthcare sector and
beyond.
"For more than 100 years, WACKER has proven its leadership and
innovative spirit by taking a multifaceted approach to a
sustainable world," said David
Wilhoit, president and CEO of Wacker Chemical Corporation.
"We are proud of the many accomplishments of our team members in
Adrian who daily demonstrate the
wisdom of WACKER's investment in the
United States."
Having once served as WACKER's regional headquarters, the
Adrian site's significance was
further amplified with the establishment of WACKER's regional
innovation center in May 2022. This
state-of-the-art facility, housing Wacker Chemical Corporation's
headquarters, has been instrumental in driving WACKER Group's
business activities across North and Central America, encompassing finance,
marketing, sales, and technical departments, alongside hosting the
WACKER ACADEMY and technical center.
The commemorative anniversary event not only honors the
dedication of current and former employees but also recognizes the
profound social and economic impact the Adrian site has had on the city of
Adrian and Lenawee County. Attendees include WACKER
employees, retirees, community leaders, elected officials, and
business partners, all gathered at the 240-acre site, which
currently employs approximately 300 team members. The celebration
features tours, speeches, and festivities, symbolizing six decades
of resilience, innovation, and community partnership.
"Adrian is proud to have been
WACKER's pioneering investment in the
United States," stated Tom
Urbanowski, senior director of operations for Wacker
Chemical Corporation in Adrian.
"Over the past 60 years, our team members have safely showcased
the United States as a strategic
and fruitful investment destination for WACKER."
As WACKER's inaugural presence in the
United States, the Adrian
site has laid the foundation for the company's expansive regional
footprint. Wacker Chemical Corporation now comprises more than
eight production sites nationwide. Its ongoing success underscores
its pivotal role in WACKER's North American operations.
Situated within a foreign trade zone (FTZ), the Adrian site enjoys various customs benefits
while steadfastly upholding environmental stewardship. Adrian team members have actively collaborated
with local partners in Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day for
over two decades, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to
environmental preservation. Such efforts have earned the site
recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the
Wildlife Habitat Council, further solidifying WACKER's dedication
to sustainability and conservation.
For more information about WACKER's operations in Adrian, Mich., click here to visit the
company's webpage.
For further information, please contact:
Wacker Chemical Corporation
Media Relations & Information
James Barnes
Phone +01 734-546-4951
james.barnes@wacker.com
www.wacker.com
The Company in Brief:
WACKER is a global company with
state-of-the-art specialty chemical products found in countless
everyday items, with applications ranging from tile adhesives to
computer chips. It has a worldwide network of 27 production sites,
22 technical competence centers and 48 sales offices with some
16,400 employees and annual sales of around €6.4 billion
(2023).
WACKER operates through four business divisions. The chemical
divisions WACKER SILICONES and WACKER POLYMERS supply products
(silicones, polymeric binders) for the automotive, construction,
chemical, consumer goods and medical technology industries. WACKER
BIOSOLUTIONS, the life sciences division, specializes in
bioengineered products such as biopharmaceuticals and food
additives. WACKER POLYSILICON produces hyperpure polysilicon for
the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries.
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SOURCE Wacker Chemical Corporation