Whitmer Joins Wacker Chemical Corporation Grand Opening
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2022
Contact: Press@Michigan.gov
PHOTOS: Governor Whitmer joins Wacker Chemical Corporation Inauguration of NCA Innovation Center and Regional Headquarters
LANSING, Mich. — Today during Economic Development Week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined state and local leaders and business leaders for a ribbon cutting and tour of the Center for Innovation and from the regional headquarters of Wacker Chemical Corporation (WACKER) in Ann Arbor.
“The Innovation Center will be WACKER’s new North American headquartersrs for a diverse and broad workforce and to be a workspace for 300 Michiganders operating at the forefront of high-tech manufacturing and innovation,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This facility is a talent magnet, showing other businesses that Michigan is the obvious answer when deciding where to expand or relocate their business. Our position as the global epicenter of high-tech manufacturing and innovation is clearer than it has ever been thanks to companies like Wacker. Let’s continue to work together to grow the economy, create well-paying jobs, and conduct groundbreaking research that will define the future, right here in Michigan.
Investment of more than $50 million enables chemists, scientists and senior management, who previously worked in three separate Michigan locations, to collaborate in one space and provides room for expansion and growth . The Innovation Center includes world-class labs; a full-service cafeteria; a fitness center open 24/7; and open collaborative workspaces.
The campus covers 18 acres and serves as the leadership and innovation hub for WACKER’s North and Central Americas (NCA) region. The state-of-the-art center is currently home to over 250 team members, including the company’s senior NCA executive.management team; the main chemists of the region; IT and other technical experts, as well as support functions.
“We are delighted to officially open this world-class innovation center to our valued partners today,” said David Wilhoit, Chairman and CEO of WACKER. “The site will serve as an important anchor for our growing business in North and Central America. This area is home to dozens of research facilities and educational institutions, making it one of Michigan’s and nation’s premier communities for R&D, allowing the company to network and recruit among the best high-tech talents in the country..”
This is WACKER’s second expansion into Michigan in recent years. In 2017, the company established a silicone R&D center in Ann Arbor. The new headquarters project has created 70 new jobs and generated more than $50 million in private investment, resulting in vital support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Michigan was chosen for the North American innovation hub and regional headquarters of the company rather than competing locations in Tennessee and Ohio.
“Michigan is, and always has been, a home for innovators of all kinds to experiment, discover and deploy new technologies and solutions that change the future – and today is no different,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). “We are excited to welcome this additional investment from WACKER, as the company makes it clear that Michigan’s highly skilled workforce and strong advanced manufacturing ecosystem is a winning combination for its continued growth into the next generation and beyond.”
About Wacker Chemical Corp.oration
WACKER is a pioneer and leader in chemical R&D and manufacturing whose solutions create a better world for generations. The company provides innovative formulations for the world’s key industries including automotive, healthcare, personal care, construction, paints, textiles and many more. WACKER is a pioneer in silicone and polymer technology, the leading supplier of polysilicon to the solar industry, and an innovator in biotechnology applications for food/nutrition and pharmaceuticals. Known for working with customers to develop solutions tailored specifically to their development needs, WACKER has 10 locations across the United States, including multiple technical centers and manufacturing facilities. US-based Wacker Chemical Corporation (WCC) is a subsidiary of Wacker Chemie AG, a $6 billion global chemical R&D and manufacturing company headquartered in Munich, Germany.
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