BORGER, Texas—Sid Richardson Carbon Co. opened a new laboratory and a centralized location to house its operations, maintenance and engineering staffs at its plant in Borger in December.
The new laboratory will house all of the plant's testing capabilities to ensure customers receive high quality carbon black. The company said the centralized location will enhance the communication and operating efficiencies of all three departments involved.
Neither addition will increase the plant's size or capacity.
Since 2000, the firm has invested more than $90 million in upgrades at the Borger plant.
"We're committed to the facility and going to continue being a big presence to this industry," said Sid Richardson President Bill Jones. "Sid Richardson has been investing in the U.S. significant dollars, and we believe the U.S. carbon black industry needs to be strong and viable. We're committed to being a leader in that area."
The most recent additions represent about a $1.5 million investment, Jones said. Most of that figure was spent on the plant's new laboratory.
"These aren't projects that make the company any money," Jones said. "It's a symbol of being committed to the business and the people that work there. They give a return in keeping people productive and giving them a nice work environment."
Other projects since 2000 include a major upgrade to its electrical system, which is still ongoing. Sid Richardson also improved the environmental efficiency of the dryers; instead of burning natural gas, they now burn tail gas. Sid Richardson also upgraded the bag filters to be more efficient and productive, added more storage capacity, installed scales to weigh trucks and added a new shower facility for its employees.
"Borger is the oldest carbon black plant in the world, built in World War II by the government as a strategic material producer," Jones said of the facility that makes more types of packaging grades than the firm's other two U.S. facilities. "After that age and time, it's necessary to fix up all the bones of it. It's an important piece of Sid's portfolio."
Sid Richardson is a carbon black manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It produces carbon black used in the production of tires, automotive parts, rubber roofing membrane, ink and coatings, among other products.