Downriver Today

The Wacker Chemical Corporation (WACKER) Innovation Center in Ann Arbor held its ribbon cutting ceremony last week and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was on hand, along with state and municipal leaders to participate in the festivities.

“The Innovation Center will be WACKER’s new North American headquarters for a diverse and broad workforce and be a workspace for 300 Michiganders operating on the cutting edge of manufacturing and high-tech innovation,” said Whitmer. “This facility is a talent magnet, showing other firms that Michigan is the obvious answer when deciding where to expand or move their business. Our position as a global epicenter for high-tech manufacturing and innovation is clearer than it has ever been thanks to companies like Wacker. Let’s keep working together to grow the economy, create good-paying jobs, and conduct groundbreaking research that will define the future—right here in Michigan.”

According to the release, the over $50 million facility will allow scientists who had worked at three different facilities to finally collaborate with one another with the possibility for further expansion of operations in the future.

“We are pleased to formally open this world-class Innovation Center today to our valued partners,” said WACKER President & CEO David Wilhoit. “The site will serve as an important anchor for our growing operations across North and Central America. 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.”

The governor’s office reported amenities at the facility include a full-service cafeteria, a 24/7 fitness center, state-of-the art labs, along with wide shared workspaces.

“Michigan is, and has always 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 Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. in a news release from the governor’s office. “We’re thrilled to welcome this additional investment from WACKER as the company makes clear that Michigan’s highly skilled workforce and strong advanced manufacturing ecosystem provide a winning combination for its continued growth into the next generation and beyond.”