Wacker opens innovation hub, regional headquarters in Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Wacker Chemie A.G. has opened its new $50 million-plus innovation center near Ann Arbor, which also will serve as a regional headquarters for its Wacker Chemical Corp. subsidiary.

The Munich-based chemical research, development and manufacturing company has more than 200 employees that moved in April into the 140,000-sq.-ft. building in Pittsfield Charter Township, Mich., near Ann Arbor. Construction of the building started in December 2020, according to the May 11 news release.

"The site will serve as an important anchor for our growing operations across North and Central America," President and CEO David Wilhoit said in the release. "This area is home to dozens of research facilities and educational institutions, making it one of the leading communities in Michigan and the entire nation for R&D, enabling the company to network with, and recruit from among, the best high-tech talent in the nation."

In an effort to put employees from three Michigan locations into one, the new building was developed and built by Troy-based Kirco-Manix.

Sitting on about 18 acres, the building includes 20 technical and analytical laboratories with "state-of-the-art equipment," the company said, allowing biotech and silicone experts to develop products for the North American market under one roof.

It also features collaborative work spaces, a cafeteria and a fitness center.

Some 275 employees will continue to be based out of Adrian, where Wacker's previous regional headquarters since 1969 was located, the company said.

In 2020, Wacker received a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund, plus a 50-percent property tax cut from the township.

Wacker said the new campus is part of the company's growth campaign, announced at the end of March.

"Wacker intends to significantly expand its market position in the U.S. and other target regions through investments in research and development, additional production capacities and accelerated growth," the company said.

The U.S. is the second largest market for chemicals and silicone products, following China, according to Wacker's data.

This innovation and administrative center "is an essential prerequisite for serving customers in North America with tailor-made silicone specialties, which are used in a wide range of application fields," said Robert Gnann, president of Wacker's silicone unit.

Wacker said it is "fully committed to growth."

"Over the next few years," Gnann said, "we will systematically expand our market position as a manufacturer of silicone specialties in this important region."

Crain's Detroit Business contributed to this report.