October 6, 2020
Michigan Economic Development Corporation shares news of Wacker Regional HQ
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation recently shared news of Wacker Chemical Corporation establishing its North American Innovation Center & Regional Headquarters in Pittsfield Charter Township. Designed by HED, this facility will house Wacker's North American headquarters and R&D operations and is expected to create 70 high-paying, high-skilled jobs.
"WACKER’s expansion in Michigan means well-paying jobs for Michigan residents and underscores the strength of the state’s advanced manufacturing industry and talented workforce,” said MEDC Chief Business Development Officer and Executive Vice President Josh Hundt. “This new Innovation Center & Regional Headquarters continues to build on Michigan’s R&D leadership and sends yet another strong signal that Michigan’s economic recovery is well underway. We’re pleased that Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other states for this new headquarters facility, and we look forward to working with WACKER as they continue to grow and add jobs in Michigan.”
The new Innovation Center & Regional Headquarters will serve as a leading-edge location for advanced R&D activities and enhanced employee collaboration, allowing the company to tap into the local pool of highly-qualified personnel who have scientific backgrounds in various disciplines and also supporting WACKER’s long-term growth plans in the state. The building capacity of more than 300 employees will include those who will relocate from WACKER’s current regional headquarters in the city of Adrian as well as up to 70 new jobs to be added in the next five years. WACKER will continue production of elastomers, silicone fluids and silicone emulsions at its existing Adrian operations, with approximately two-thirds of the current employees remaining there.
This is WACKER’s second expansion in Michigan in recent years. In 2017, the company established a Silicones R&D Center in Ann Arbor. The new headquarters project is expected to create 70 highly paid jobs and generate a total private investment of $51 million, resulting in a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Michigan was chosen for the North American Innovation Center & Regional Headquarters over competing sites in Tennessee and Ohio. The project aligns with MEDC’s strategic focus of attracting, retaining and supporting a business in the focus industries of advanced manufacturing and engineering, design and development, while fostering high-wage skills growth. In addition, WACKER has a robust on-the-job training program, with both internal and external opportunities for advancement. The company is also actively engaged with schools and universities, and has supported a successful internship program to provide hands-on opportunities to students.
“We are excited to move forward with our Innovation Center and Regional Headquarters to be located within Michigan,” said WACKER President & CEO David Wilhoit. “Our new facility will enable future growth in the state and serve as an important anchor for our operations across North America. This area is one of the nation’s leading communities for R&D. We look forward to networking with, and recruiting from, this highly educated and skilled talent base.”
You can read the full story, or other stories about Wacker's recently shared news using the links below.
"WACKER’s expansion in Michigan means well-paying jobs for Michigan residents and underscores the strength of the state’s advanced manufacturing industry and talented workforce,” said MEDC Chief Business Development Officer and Executive Vice President Josh Hundt. “This new Innovation Center & Regional Headquarters continues to build on Michigan’s R&D leadership and sends yet another strong signal that Michigan’s economic recovery is well underway. We’re pleased that Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other states for this new headquarters facility, and we look forward to working with WACKER as they continue to grow and add jobs in Michigan.”
The new Innovation Center & Regional Headquarters will serve as a leading-edge location for advanced R&D activities and enhanced employee collaboration, allowing the company to tap into the local pool of highly-qualified personnel who have scientific backgrounds in various disciplines and also supporting WACKER’s long-term growth plans in the state. The building capacity of more than 300 employees will include those who will relocate from WACKER’s current regional headquarters in the city of Adrian as well as up to 70 new jobs to be added in the next five years. WACKER will continue production of elastomers, silicone fluids and silicone emulsions at its existing Adrian operations, with approximately two-thirds of the current employees remaining there.
This is WACKER’s second expansion in Michigan in recent years. In 2017, the company established a Silicones R&D Center in Ann Arbor. The new headquarters project is expected to create 70 highly paid jobs and generate a total private investment of $51 million, resulting in a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Michigan was chosen for the North American Innovation Center & Regional Headquarters over competing sites in Tennessee and Ohio. The project aligns with MEDC’s strategic focus of attracting, retaining and supporting a business in the focus industries of advanced manufacturing and engineering, design and development, while fostering high-wage skills growth. In addition, WACKER has a robust on-the-job training program, with both internal and external opportunities for advancement. The company is also actively engaged with schools and universities, and has supported a successful internship program to provide hands-on opportunities to students.
“We are excited to move forward with our Innovation Center and Regional Headquarters to be located within Michigan,” said WACKER President & CEO David Wilhoit. “Our new facility will enable future growth in the state and serve as an important anchor for our operations across North America. This area is one of the nation’s leading communities for R&D. We look forward to networking with, and recruiting from, this highly educated and skilled talent base.”
You can read the full story, or other stories about Wacker's recently shared news using the links below.