Collins takes questions on Wacker's work

May 24, 2023

KEN COLLINS, center, senior director and site leader of Wacker-Charleston, stands with Jeff Gregory, president of the Bradley Sunrise Rotary Club; and Lisa Mantooth, a Rotarian and communications coordinator at Wacker, on July 27.

What is polysilicon?

Someone who can answer that question is Ken Collins, the senior director and site leader of Wacker-Charleston.

Collins, who was the guest speaker at Bradley Sunrise Rotary Club's meeting on July 27, has only been with Wacker for two years, so he often quipped to Rotarians that they may know Wacker's ins and outs better than he does.

Regardless, when it came time for answering questions from the audience, which was what Collins wanted to dedicate most of his time that morning to, the proof was in the pudding that he knows his business well.

Prior to taking questions, he spoke on Wacker as a whole so everyone was on the same page.

"We have a 550-acre campus, and we have two plants located there," he said. "The largest, and the first of the two plants, is the polysilicon plant … We produce hyper-pure polysilicon, and Wacker, as a company, produces half of the world's supply."

This polysilcon, he said, goes into semiconductor chips.

"One out of every two semiconductor chips that are in your home, your computer, or electronic appliances" were produced by Wacker, he said.

The second plant develops HDK pyrogenic silica, which he described as a "very pure" and "clean" white powder that is used in everyday items like smartphone cases, toothpaste, spatulas and even insulation.

Employing around 780 people, Collins said, "We've been really pleased to be a part of the community."

Question 1

A Rotarian asked, "The silicon that goes into toothpaste is a little bit different than what goes into other products, correct?"

Responding, Collins said, "That's a little different material that goes into semiconductors and solar panels than what goes into toothpaste."

He went on to note the HDK pyrogenic silica is also used in cosmetic products like lipstick and mascara.

Question 2

"Could you tell us about your sister plants?" an audience member asked.

Collins said Wacker was founded in 1914 by Alexander Wacker, and "it's still a predominantly family-owned company that is traded in the Frankfurt exchange."

Citing it as an advantage that Wacker's shares are still largely a family-majority, he said there is a longterm perspective for the work Wacker does.

In 25 to 40 years, Collins believes Charleston will be in an industrial position to expand.

Presently, its work in polysilicon and HDK pyrogenic silica represents two of the five divisions of Wacker, with polymers, biosolutions business and siltronic being the remaining three.

There are nearly 15,000 employees across 27 plants around the globe, he said.

Question 3

One Rotarian asked about the requirements to work at Wacker, and Collins was glad to be able to mention Wacker's program of hiring people 18 or over who have not graduated from high school.

"We hire them as a temp, and they work Monday, Wednesday and Friday learning a certain job in the plant, and then on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they're in class at campus with a teacher from Tennessee Adult Education."

After 90 days, if they pass their GED or HiSET exam and receive a high school diploma, Wacker then gives them a cap and gown and hosts a graduation ceremony just for them.

From there, they can continue working for Wacker and begin receiving additional education opportunities after a year of employment.

"It's a game changer," he added.

With this program being the lowest entry requirement to work at Wacker, Collins also noted people can go through the chemical operator training program at Chattanooga State Community College or the Mechatronics program at Cleveland State Community College and potentially find work at Wacker.

Employees hoping for an advanced degree can receive a $10,000 tuition reimbursement as they further their education.

Question 4

"Could you talk about your fire department?" Jeff Gregory, Bradley Sunrise Rotary Club's president, asked.

Collins replied, "Most people know that we've had some history of a couple 'events' on site and, obviously, everybody that works there and everybody in our community deserves to have a safe place to work and to live."

At the plant, there are 10 firefighters present, 24 hours a day, he said.

"Those firefighters are trained to a high level EMT or paramedic-level certification in addition to their fire training," Collins said.

A full life support ambulance and a fire tuck are accompanied by a unique emergency response vehicle that is the only one of its kind in the U.S.: a turbo.

This twin-turbojet firefighting tank can create a cloud of water droplets 10 stories up, Collins said, and they test it once a month to be prepared for anything.

"If everyone is following the procedures and doing what they should be doing, (Wacker) is a very safe place to work," he said.