a publication of the dow chemical company · 2017-12-11 · key markets for silicones •...

A PUBLICATION OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

CARROLLTON ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2017

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Dow’s Carrollton Impact Magazine, celebrating our site’s 50th anniversary. As Carrollton Site Leader, it is my great pleasure to be part of honoring the proud history of success in northern Kentucky as we look to a future of even more prosperity.

Great employees have always been the foundation of success at Dow and Dow Corning, and we expect that to continue going forward. The pages of this magazine are filled with highlights of 50 successful years. From community impact to multi-generational employee families to a future of growth, we cover it all. I am especially proud of a few highlights, including 20 years as a Voluntary Protection Program “Star” site (see page 8) and our commitment to community well-being (see page 14).

I hope you enjoy the magazine, and I look forward to keeping in touch with many of you as we celebrate a wonderful past and look forward to a prosperous future.

Jim GuidariniCarrollton Site Leader

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A PUBLICATION OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

CARROLLTON ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2017

™TRADEMARK OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY (“DOW”) OR AN AFFILIATED COMPANY OF DOW

Drive-In to Silicone Production

Serious BusinessExcellent Safety

Performance Makes Site a Standout

30-Year Collaboration

Grows Stronger

It’s All RelativeEmployees and Their

Family Ties

CONTENTS

4 8 12 16

Letter from the Site Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2How Carrollton’s Products Touch Our Lives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Great Chemistry — Two Companies Combine Their Sciences for Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Spirit of Caring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Then and Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Listening, Learning, and Acting — Carrollton Community Advisory Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Educating the Next Generation — Providing Opportunities Beyond the Classroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20A Natural Fit for a Bright Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

CARROLLTON 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2017 | 3

The year was 1965 and the drive-in movie theater on the Ohio River in Carrollton, Ky., played its last feature film on the big screen.

The land was being prepped for a major construction project, one that would be completed in 1967 and serve as home to a world-scale silicone production facility.

“It’s fitting that our site was a drive-in theater, because some of the first products made here were used in the production of cars and soft drinks,” said David Snodgrass, senior process design engineering specialist. And even though the movies no longer play, he said, the connection to the industry is still there.

“Drive-in theaters might not be as common now, but the growth at the Carrollton site has helped to meet the increasing demand in the automotive and beverage industries over the years,” he said. “And thanks to our research and development teams, silicone technologies have made it possible for us to watch movies at home, and on mobile devices — something people probably never would have imagined 50 years ago.”

From a movie-goers hangout to a silicone super site, Carrollton has seen more than $1 billion in investments over the years and looks forward to continued growth.

“As one of Dow Performance Silicones’ three basic intermediate sites (pillars), we provide the building blocks needed to produce the majority of Dow’s silicone products,” said Dave Ott, business manufacturing director. “This site is the largest of its kind in the world. Our economy of scale, quality and supply reliability give our finishing sites in the Americas a big advantage over other silicone competitors.”

Follow the timeline below to see some of the highlights of the past 50 years:

DRIVE-INto Silicone Production

CARROLLTON OPERATIONS TIMELINEFifty-two years ago, Dow Corning broke ground on a brand new plant in rural Carrollton, Ky. That plant would become operational in 1967 and one day, grow into a world-scale silicone production facility. Silicone chemistry was new to most people back in the 60s. Today, silicone products are an undeniable part of our lives. This historical timeline shows the progression of growth and progress at the site.

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1943

Dow Corning is established as a joint venture between Dow Chemical and Corning Glass

1963

Dow Corning’s first site in Kentucky, Elizabethtown, begins making sealants and compounds as well as having packaging lines. The site doubled in square footage in 1969 and is still going strong today

“The skills and expertise of our employees and

contractors combined with their passion and caring are

what make this a special place to work. Our world class

workforce safely and reliably runs and maintains the

largest, most productive silicone intermediates site in the

world and is a clear competitive advantage for our site.”

Todd Bush Carrollton Production Leader


1967

The Carrollton site is officially dedicated on May 4, representing a $15 million investment. Operations begin with 60 employees

1969

Contractor Cardinal Insulation starts working at the site, and is still working here today

LUBRICATE. SEAL. BOND. INSULATE.

WATERPROOF. COAT.

How Carrollton’s Products Touch Our Lives

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CARROLLTON ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2017 | 7

1971

Operations begin in Barry, United Kingdom, which will later become known as the second “pillar site” for the production of siloxanes, basic raw materials used across multiple industries

Key markets for silicones• Automotive• Cosmetics• Construction• Electronics• Food

• Hair Care• Healthcare• Oil & Gas• Paints and Inks

• Paper• Skin Care• Solar • Textiles

By the time you leave the house in the morning, your life has been touched by dozens of products containing silicones. Lip balm, bakeware, clothing, your phone, your computer, even your car.

Whether as fluids, rubber, gels, resins, gums, or blends, the versatility of silicones like those manufactured in Carrollton make them a key ingredient in products that make our lives better every day.

“At Carrollton, we’ve made the same 10 to 15 silicone intermediates since 1967,” said Brian Craig, product director of Intermediates. “The production process has, of course, been expanded as demand has increased and also improved over the years to minimize waste generation and maximize efficiency, but our basic products have remained the same.”

In addition to producing intermediates, Dow Performance Silicones makes about 100 finished products at Carrollton, such as silicone emulsions used in textiles.

According to Travis Hein, product manager for Feedstocks and Intermediates, North America, the site stands out among global silicone production facilities.

“We owe much of our success at Carrollton to our ability to produce a variety of silicone products, including food-grade materials,” Hein said. “Our Good Manufacturing Practices certification makes our site unique in the silicones industry, because we can also produce the inactive ingredients that go into pharmacy- and medical-grade products. For example, we make the medical-grade silicone carrier that is formulated into lip balm at Dow’s Hemlock, Mich., facility. We’re proud to be a part of supplying this huge array of products to people around the world.”

Known for their ability to function in conditions that would destroy conventional materials, silicones display a host of unique properties that can lubricate, seal, bond, release, defoam, encapsulate, insulate, waterproof, and coat. And they do it without conducting electricity, hardening, cracking, peeling, crumbling, drying out, rotting, or becoming brittle with age.

Interstate 71 construction in Kentucky is completed, connecting Cincinnati and Louisville

1978

Dow Corning adds a Process Research and Engineering group to help basic intermediates plants run more cost efficiently, improve environmental performance, and assist manufacturing operations


1982

Become charter members and continual Board members when the Carroll County Community Development Board (CCCDC) was founded to help spearhead significant community improvement projects

“…We want to be the safest place

to work in the state of Kentucky.”

Mike Anderson Environment, Health & Safety Leader

At Carrollton, we take safety seriously. So seriously, in fact,

that it is the first and most important priority for every

employee, every day.

“We want to be the safest place to work in the state of Kentucky,” said Mike

Anderson, Environment, Health & Safety leader for Carrollton. “We have

metrics and measurements in place that help us target areas for improvement

and highlight our successes. But our main goal is always keeping our

employees and the community safe.”

Creating a safe workplace for employees starts with creating an organizational

culture that will be satisfied with nothing less than zero – no injuries,

illnesses, or chemical spills at the site. Period.

From the moment employees arrive at the plant until the time they leave, they

put safety first in everything they do. Employees know safety is part of every

decision, in every job, at every level. It is a “habit” and part of the company’s

culture. And it’s working.

SERIOUS BUSINESSExcellent Safety Performance Makes Site a Standout

1981

Dow Corning Foundation established

1989

Dow Corning spends more than $30 million to construct a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant

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There’s definitely something to be said for developing a personal relationship with your coworkers. And at Carrollton, it goes beyond just being able to discuss the previous night’s cable TV show in the break room. Here, employees believe that personal relationships among coworkers translate to a safer work environment for everyone.

“Creating a safety culture is more than just wearing the proper personal protective equipment,’ said Carrollton Area Dow Corning Employees (CADCE) Committee Treasurer Linda Davis. “The more personal connections we can create between our employees, the safer they will be in the plant.

“The purpose of the committee is to create a bond between our employees beyond the plant. Our hope is that when employees come to work, they see their co-workers as friends — real people with lives and loved ones — and work together to make sure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day,” she said.

With the goal of enhancing safety always in mind, CADCE organizes a number of fun activities to bring employees together throughout the year.

“Our employees live along the Ohio River all the way from Cincinnati to Louisville, so some live over one hundred miles away from each other,” Davis said. “We work hard to help develop the feeling of community here on site and see hundreds of participants in our many events throughout the year. Our employees show ownership in their responsibilities to safety, the site, each other, and the communities they live in, and the CADCE organization exists to help support and strengthen these relationships.”

CADCE Promotes a Sense of Community

SERIOUS BUSINESS

Carrollton was the first manufacturing plant in

Kentucky to be certified as a Voluntary Protection

Partnership (VPP) “Star” site in 1997. The program,

offered by the Kentucky Labor Cabinet’s Division of

Education and Training, recognizes and promotes

exemplary safety and health performance in the

workplace.

Currently, the Carrollton site is one of only 12 in the

state to hold this difficult-to-achieve recognition. An

unwavering dedication to safety has made it possible

to retain the prestigious certification for 20 years.

In 2016, Carrollton had its best safety performance

in its 50-year history, with just three recorded

injuries for the entire year (including contractors).

Jeff Hale, Reliability and Maintenance manager,

notes, “VPP’s foundation is management, employees,

and contractors working together to achieve

common safety goals. Our contractor workforce

is an integral part of ongoing site success, joining

employees in a strong appreciation and contribution

toward a safe and productive working environment.

Our integration into Dow Chemical will help

reenergize our commitment to safety. I look for our

record safety performance in 2016 to be the starting

point for even better performance in the future.”

“We empower employees to take responsibility for

their own safety and that of their coworkers. We’ve

made a commitment to helping them understand

that safety is more than a procedure or policy,” said

Tony Crutcher, Carrollton Site Emergency Services

& Security specialist. “Safety must be the first

thing we all think about – all day, every day – as

we do our jobs. Employees know that the impact

of not working safely can be incredibly serious

for them personally, for the company, and for the

community.”

1989

Dow Corning spends more than $30 million to construct a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant

Mutual aid agreement with Carroll County Emergency Services provides for on-call ambulance support from site when needed by the County


Chemistry means different things to different people. For romantics, it’s the unexplainable forces that bring people together. For scientists, it’s the largely explainable forces that bring atoms and molecules together.

Now that the Carrollton Site is part of Dow Performance Silicones, many people are excited about the potential of bringing experts in two different areas of science together in new and productive ways. And Carrollton is a natural location for that chemistry to bear fruit.

Dow Corning has a long, proud history of success in silicon-based chemistry. The company was formed in 1943 as a joint venture between Michigan-based Dow and New York-based Corning, with each of the two partners owning 50 percent of the venture.

For roughly 70 years, Dow Corning operated separately from its two corporate parents. It grew to become a global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, with research, production, and sales facilities on five continents.

In 2016, the ownership of Dow Corning was restructured, with Dow acquiring 100 percent of Dow Corning’s silicones business. From that moment on, what everyone has always known as Dow Corning became a part – a very important part – of Dow.

“Dow recognized right away that it was gaining something very valuable and very high-performing,” said Carrollton Site Leader Jim Guidarini of Dow’s acquisition of Dow Corning. “Our focus is to take that to the next level.”

Great Chemistry T WO COMPANIES COMBINE THEIR SCIENCES FOR SUCCESS

1990

Local Community Advisory Panel established in conjunction with PMC Organometallix

First thermal oxider starts up in Carrollton, leading to a 95%-plus reduction in site emissions of organic compounds

1992

Site cements a partnership begun by employee-volunteers in 1984 with Special Olympics Kentucky, raising over $600,000 for local athletes over the following decade

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Great Chemistry T WO COMPANIES COMBINE THEIR SCIENCES FOR SUCCESS

Dow is a world leader in carbon-based chemistry, and has developed an expertise in creating value at the intersections of different sciences. Dow also has marketing resources that can open new doors for silicone products, including the materials produced in Carrollton.

Carrollton’s on-site research and development facilities are a major asset for this location. Another will be the addition of a new world-class fumed silica plant, which Cabot Corporation will build adjacent to the site beginning this year.

When the plant comes on line, which is expected by 2020, it will serve as both a customer of Carrollton products and a supplier of intermediate materials, all the while improving logistics, supply, and manufacturing efficiencies; generating environmental and safety benefits; and adding to the site’s status as a leading option for investment.

While Carrollton has long focused on intermediate processes – which produce materials that go to other units within the company for further processing – Guidarini is excited about the potential for finishing operations, the last step before sending materials to outside customers.

“It’s all about growth,” Guidarini said. “There are a lot of combination chemistries that we can work on. We have lots of land available at Carrollton. We have great people working here. We have been the flagship plant in the Dow Corning world, now we want to be the best in the Dow fleet.”

STANDING

Standing Tall is our reminder each day to strive for operational excellence.

1994

Site completes the North America Methyl Expansion (NAMEX) investments in additional capacity, more than doubling the existing site’s output

1995

Dow Corning files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

CARROLLTON 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2017 | 1 1

30-year Collaboration Grows Stronger

“The business agreements with Cabot

will provide long-term supply of fumed

silica and enable growth of our silicones

products at both our Carrollton and

Midland, Michigan, facilities.”

Brian Craig Product Director for Intermediates

The new Cabot Corporation plant will manufacture fumed silica, ultra-fine, high-purity particles with many applications.

1996

Site begins 18-year lease of more than 200 acres to Carroll County Board of Education to sponsor the 4-Mile Outdoor Classroom, welcoming and educating students

1997

Carrollton becomes the first manufacturing site in Kentucky to be recognized as an OSHA VPP “Star” site for its safety performance and commitment to continuous improvement in safety

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Cabot uses one of those materials as a building block for producing fumed silica, an ultra-fine, high-purity particle with many applications and customers. Dow is one of those customers. A by-product of fumed silica production is hydrogen chloride (HCl), which Dow also uses in Carrollton. So, Dow and Cabot are both supplier and customer to each other.

Currently, Dow ships material to Cabot facilities elsewhere, and Cabot ships some of its fumed silica and by-product HCl back to Dow. When the new plant goes on line, the material to Cabot and the by-product HCl will move in both directions through piping within the secure perimeter of the Carrollton locations.

The most obvious benefit is safety. In everything they do, Dow and Cabot make safety the top priority. For example, piping material within the plant perimeter is safer, faster, and more efficient than shipping it across public roads and waterways.

“The new facility will enable us to meet the demands of the growing fumed silica market with high quality CAB-O-SIL® fumed silica,” said Nick Cross, Cabot executive vice president and president of its Performance Chemicals segment. “We are proud to be extending our presence in North America with Dow Corning, the global leader in silicones, and look forward to strengthening our partnership and the local economy with this project.”

The plant’s construction will generate employment and new business in the Carrollton community. On a broader level, the cost efficiencies and improved speed to market will be lasting benefits in the never-ending struggle to be the supplier of choice for customers around the world.

30-year Collaboration Grows StrongerConstruction of a Cabot Corp. fumed silica plant at the Carrollton site is one of those times when everybody wins.

Both Cabot and Dow benefit from improved logistics, supply, and manufacturing efficiencies. There will also be environmental and safety benefits, which is great news for the Carrollton community.

All this and more is the result of a cooperative relationship that has grown for 30 years. Cabot and Dow Corning built that relationship because of the interrelated nature of their operations, with Cabot investing in plants at Dow Corning sites in Michigan and Great Britain. With the business growth in North America both past and future, a similar co-location strategy makes sense for Carrollton. Cabot broke ground in September for its new Carrollton plant, which should be completed by 2020.

“This joint investment advances our business strategy to further integrate our manufacturing operations, drive raw material efficiencies and cost productivity, and further our sustainability objectives,” said Brian Craig, product director for Intermediates and a Dow leader in the Cabot relationship. “The business agreements with Cabot will provide long-term supply of fumed silica and enable growth of our silicones products at both our Carrollton and Midland, Michigan, facilities.”

Cabot and Dow work together in an interesting way. The Carrollton site transforms silicon metal into a number of useful materials. Some of those materials are further refined at the site, some are shipped to other Dow locations for further refinement, and some are sold to outside companies.

Ohio River flooding closes most roads and rail access to the site. Some employees use alternate routes to get in; some don’t leave for days — all without a slowdown in production

2001

Central Control Room combines separate control rooms, ensuring clear, consistent, coordinated communications across all site operations


THE SPIRIT OF

CaringSupporting community success through volunteerism and contributions is a deep-rooted Dow commitment – a tradition of giving that is a great source of pride for the company and communities in which we live and work.

By partnering with community organizations we embrace collaborative, innovative solutions to the wide-ranging challenges many of our neighbors face and help create sustainable communities throughout the region and the world. As we celebrate Carrollton’s golden anniversary and look forward to the future, we focus on our shared philanthropic vision and the opportunity to continue the positive momentum begun by Carrollton 50 years ago.

The Carrollton Site has worked with local organizations for 50 years to positively impact the challenges many of our neighbors face. Hand-in-hand with our community partners, the site has helped implement long-term answers for healthcare, safety and emergency services, support programs, and education.

For more information about Dow’s global citizenship efforts, visit www.dow.com/en-us/science-and-sustainability/global-citizenship.

“While the organizations and causes we supported have changed over the years, our desire

to make a difference hasn’t. We are proud to be part of a vibrant community that is diverse,

encompasses several counties, and even crosses the river. This is our site home, as well as the

home to employees, friends, and neighbors. So we want to have an active role in strengthening the

building blocks for a good life for everyone.”

Larry Tarvestad Former Site Leader

2003

The Classroom Coach program is born, with about 20 employees volunteering to work with students at Carroll County Middle School

2002

Shops personnel train for highly regulated “R-stamp,” allowing for maintenance on pressure vessels, followed by “U-stamp” designation in 2006, allowing for fabrication of pressure vessels. This begins the first of many tube bundle construction projects, saving millions in construction costs over the decades

1 4 | IMPACT

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STEM Education4 Mile Outdoor Classroom, Carroll County Schools

Classroom Equipment, Henry County Board of Education

FIRST® Robotics, Carroll County Schools

Lab Equipment and Supplies, Owen County Board of Education

Math Tutoring by Employees, Carroll County Middle School

Partnership Project, Switzerland County High School

Thriving in Carroll County: A SySTEMatic Approach, Carroll County Schools

Community VitalityBuilding Regional Success: JCTC Carrollton Campus, Jefferson Community and Technical College

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library™ Project, Carroll County Educational Excellence Foundation

Equipment Upgrade, NorthKey Community Care

Expansion of Facilities, Carroll County Public Library

Ohio Valley United Charities

Relay for Life, American Cancer Society

“We have established a spirit

of caring and compassion

that we are honored to carry

on in Carrollton. With a

focus on creating value at the

intersection of innovation,

sustainability, and citizenship,

our efforts promote STEM

education, community well-

being, and helping area

organizations as they define

creative solutions to many

complex needs. Dow looks

forward to continuing to

support positive change in

the region.

Rob Vallentine The Dow Chemical Company Foundation President and Dow’s Director of Global Citizenship

“The Dow Corning Foundation contributed to many successful projects over many years. Foundation

grants helped advance the site’s strong belief in creating positive change for community success. The

Dow Chemical Company Foundation also works collaboratively with local organizations. I admire

the work they do and their commitment to improving lives both in the communities where they

have sites and throughout the U.S.”

Kathryn Spence Dow Corning Foundation Director

Room Renovations, Carroll County Memorial Hospital

Switzerland County Historical Society, 165-acre donation for historical museum

Transitional Project Funding, Special Olympics Kentucky

Winter Games, Special Olympics Kentucky

SustainabilityBow Arched Bridge Move and Renovation, Carrollton River Walk Project

Community Advisory Panel

Ohio River Sweep, Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission

Governor’s Safety and Health Conference and Exposition, Kentucky Safety and Health Network

Young Leaders Institute, Carroll County High School

CONTRIBUTING TO COMMUNITY SUCCESS

2004

Dow Corning comes out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy

2006

Airgas announces plans to build an air separation unit to supply the Carrollton site and meet regional demand for bulk and packaged gases

2007

Barge dock upgrade completed, delivering safety and productivity improvements for the hundreds of barges unloaded each year


When people love their jobs, you might

hear them say their co-workers are like

family. For many Carrollton employees,

that’s not just an expression: some

co-workers really are family. Here are

a few of their stories.

Harsin FamilyThey are known as silicon babies – the children of Dow Corning employees who grow up watching their parents work at the Carrollton site, and later decide they like the idea.

Alan Harsin can tell you all about life as a silicon baby. He was born in Carrollton, and his father, Eddie Harsin, worked for the construction company that built the plant in the 1960s. After the plant was built, Eddie worked off and on at the facility for various contractors, and eventually retired in 2000.

“My school bus went past the plant every day, but I had no idea what they did there,” the younger Harsin said.

When a strip mine reclamation career didn’t pan out, Alan went to work as a process operator.

“To be honest, I was not excited about coming out of grad school and working swing shift as an operator. But then

IT’S ALL RELATIVEEmployees and Their Family Ties

I found that I really enjoyed it. Now, I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything,” Alan said.

It’s no surprise, then, that Alan Harsin’s daughter, Danielle, found her way to Dow Corning.

“She went to the University of Kentucky for a while, but never really figured out what she wanted to do,” Alan said. “One day she came to me and said, ‘Dad, I’m ready to come back home. I want to work for Dow Corning.’ ”

Now Danielle Harsin Mann works in the quality assurance laboratory at Carrollton, and she does her father proud.

“She’s doing very well. Everybody is glad to have her working there,” Harsin said. “And now I’ve got my own silicon baby.”

2009

Dow Chemical acquired Rohm and Haas, including the Louisville site, in 2009. The facility began production in 1945, and Rohm & Haas acquired the site from the U.S. government in 1960. Today, the site produces acrylic coatings and additives to support construction and architectural coatings industries. In 2017, the site received a Responsible Care® award from the American Chemistry Council in recognition of its commitment to delivering against high expectations and standards related to the environment, health, and safety

2008

The site is named as a Master member in the KY EXCEL Environmental Leadership Program

Alan Harsin and his daughter, Danielle Harsin Mann.

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Griffin FamilyDana Griffin knows what it’s like to be part of a father-son team at work. In fact, he knows what it’s like to be both parts.

Dana’s father was one of the original employees at the Carrollton plant 50 years ago, starting as a process operator and moving into other roles, including maintenance coordinator.

In 1984 Dana hired on as a full-time employee, and worked in close proximity to his dad for more than a decade until the latter retired in 1995. Dana’s brother Dale also works at the site.

Then, in 2010, Dana’s oldest son, Scott, took a job in the same area of the plant where his father, and his father before him, worked.

“I see him a lot at work. It’s great, because I can make sure that he’s doing well, and doing things the right way. I can help him with information about what’s going on, because I have familiarity with it,” Dad said.

Dana Griffin plans to retire at the end of 2017, but it’s possible that a new generation could join the family business. Scott has two children who are too young to settle on a career for now, but will certainly be able to hear all about the benefits of following in their father’s, grandfather’s and great-grandfather’s footsteps.

Wallace FamilyWhen Jeff Wallace was considering going to work at the Carrollton Site, more than 25 years ago, there were no websites or social media or any such technology for learning about a company. You just had to know somebody.

“I worked for a neighboring company, and I had always heard good things about Dow,” Jeff recalled. “Several people I worked with put in applications at Dow and were hired there. I followed their lead.”

It proved to be a great move. He joined the welding program, became welding inspector for the site, and is now a member of the site integrity team. All the while, he raised a family that grew to include three children. His oldest child, daughter Laura, was 5 years old when he began working at the site. When Laura reached high school, she entered the site’s co-op program, gaining valuable insight into a promising career opportunity.

“She said several times that it helped her decide to go into engineering,” Jeff said. “And she’s always known that I hold Dow in high regard.”

Now Laura works as a Dow improvement engineer, one of five people at the site related to Wallace. In addition, his two younger children also went through the site’s high school co-op program, with one going on to be a teacher and the youngest currently a college junior studying chemical engineering.

2010

Recognizing its partnership with the local school systems, the Carrollton site receives the prestigious “Friend of Education” award by the Kentucky State School Boards Association

The Griffin family includes, from left, son Scott, Dana, grandson Kellen, and father Kenny.

The Wallace family includes, from right, Jeff Wallace, his daughter Laura Hickey, and her husband, Aaron Hickey.

Adjoining Arvin Meritor property is purchased, with a 170,000-square-foot building and 142 acres from river to hillside

2011

Zhangjiagang, China, Dow Corning’s third pillar, starts up


2011

Drum-off process upgrade completed, leading to safety and productivity improvements for the hundreds of thousands of drums filled each year

Then and NowWhile Carrollton Operations

was evolving, so was the world…

U.S. Population1967

198.7 MMNow323.1 MM

Gallon of Gas1967

33¢Now$2.55

New House1967

$14,250Now$310,800

1967$1,064

Now$21,728

Annual Room, Board and Tuition at 4-Year Institution

Think about what it takes to be a good corporate

neighbor. Investments? Encouraging employee

volunteerism and corporate giving? Those are

important, but a good relationship between a company

and the surrounding community also calls for open

communication.

Carrollton’s Community Advisory Panel (CAP) has been

a positive forum for open dialogue with the community

since 1990. The monthly discussions about mutual

interests have helped Dow Corning build and keep that

strong connection with the community.

“Sharing information is a key to building trust and

improving communication. The CAP gives us the

opportunity to meet and listen to people in the

community and tell them more about our site,” said Mike

Anderson, Carrollton Site Environment, Health & Safety

Listening, Learning, and ACTINGCarrollton Community Advisory Panel

New Car1967

$2,750Now $33,560

Federal Minimum Wage1967$1.40

Now$7.25

2012

Nearly $60,000 is donated to Ohio Valley United Charities, our key sponsored charity, by the site and its employees. As top giver every year since, site support has doubled the amount of assistance OVUC provides to the community

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Sharon Campbell, Homemaker Representative

Jim Ellington, Retiree Representative (Retiree of LG&E and KU)

Rodney Hawkins, Emergency Responder Representative, Carroll County Sheriff Deputy

Harry Hays, Health Care Representative, Carroll County Memorial Hospital CEO

Tim Hendrick, Environmental Representative (also photographer at The News Democrat)

Christin Herbst, At-Large Representative, Carroll County Ag Extension Agent

Brad McNeal, Small Business – Owner of McNeal’s Trustworthy Hardware

Tim Mitchell, Emergency Responder Representative, City of Carrollton Police Department Assistant Chief

Jeff Moore, Media Representative, Editor at The News Democrat

Joan Moore, Facilitator of the CAP

David Rowlett, Agriculture Representative (Retiree of LG&E and KU)

Patrick Stewart, Emergency Responder Representative, Ghent Fire Protection Fire Chief (also an employee at LG&E and KU)

Mike Terrell, Emergency Responder Representative, Carrollton Fire Department Fire Chief

Ed Webb, Emergency Responder Representative, Carroll County Emergency Manager

Bobby Westrick, Government Representative, Carroll County Judge-Executive

Mark Willhoite, Educator Representative, Carroll County Schools Director of Pupil Personnel/Chief Operations Officer

Mike Willhoite, Emergency Responder Representative, City of Carrollton Police Department Chief

leader and CAP representative. “Lack of knowledge can

lead to misperceptions. As CAP members get to know our

operations better, they can share these facts with others,

as well as advocate in the community.”

The CAP includes members who represent and reflect the

surrounding community. Independent CAP volunteers

work closely with company representatives from Dow

and PMC Organometallix, Inc., another local chemical

company. By sharing community perspectives on topics of

interest, the 17-member panel helps the companies better

understand their neighbors and respond to potential

concerns. In addition, CAP members communicate what

they learn about the companies’ operations with others

throughout the county.

Learn more about the Carrollton Site Community Advisory

Panel at www.dowcorning.com/content/about/aboutcomm/cton_

advisory.aspx.

Listening, Learning, and ACTINGCarrollton Community Advisory Panel

(Left to Right) 1st row: Tara Adair, Sharon Campbell, Lori Ogden, Laura Robinson, Diana Prentice, Jim Guidarini, Tim Hendrick, Patrick Stewart;

2nd row: Bobby Westrick, Ed Webb, Rodney Hawkins, Tony Crutcher, Mark Kearns; 3rd row: Jim Ellington, Mike Terrell, Harry Hays, Terry Stapleton;

Not pictured: Christin Herbst, Brad McNeal, Tim Mitchell, Jeff Moore, Joan Moore, David Rowlett, Mark Willhoite, Mike Willhoite and Mike Anderson

Foreign trade zone is established in recognition of the raw materials shipped in from other countries and the export of materials made here, saving millions of dollars since activation

Basic train operational reliability surpasses 95% for the first time

2017 CAP Members


EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION

Award-winning technology, an ideal location, and in-demand products are all essential to a thriving silicone production facility. But really, people are what makes a business work. One way Dow makes sure it has the right people in the right places is by supporting educational and career development programs in our communities.

Leaders at the Carrollton site partnered with Jefferson Community & Technical College (JCTC) more than 10 years ago to provide funding for industrial training and co-op programs for students pursuing degrees in Applied Process Technology (APT) and Engineering Electronics Technology (EET). The programs help develop the workforce of tomorrow and give students an opportunity to apply what they learn in classes to real-world applications.

The enthusiasm in Robin Clark’s voice is contagious when she talks about the success of collaborating with JCTC. “Over the last five years, more than a dozen students in these programs who held co-op positions at the site have been hired into full-time roles upon graduation, and the education and training they have received helps set them apart from other new hires,” said Clark, Human Resources manager for the Carrollton site. “The students gain valuable career experience and Dow gets qualified, experienced employees.”

Lisa Stethen, coordinator of academic programs at JCTC, agrees. “We usually have four or five students per semester working as co-ops at the Carrollton site, and supervising employees are wonderful mentors to them,” she said. “Working directly with the students, they see their skills and interests firsthand, and help provide students with guidance on different courses or career paths that would be a good fit for them, but that they may not have known were available.”

Jefferson Community & Technical

College is building a new

campus in Carrollton to meet

the needs of the rapidly growing

Northern Kentucky region.

Thanks to support from several

local organizations, including a

$250,000 grant from the Dow

Corning Foundation, funds to build

the new facility were raised in

record time. The Foundation also

made a significant contribution

toward the purchase of equipment

for the new chemistry lab.

Providing Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

2016

Dow Corning becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Chemical

Record low number of OSHA recordables for employees and contractors

2 0 | IMPACT

Looking ForwardClark is even more optimistic about plans to implement a new apprenticeship program at the site. Geared toward chemical process operators, the program is accredited by the United States Department of Labor and is already in place at other Dow locations. The first students will begin the apprenticeship program by the end of 2018.

“The apprenticeship program will be an excellent opportunity for military veterans looking to transition into civilian life, someone wanting to make a career change or returning to the workforce, or recent high school graduates who are ready to begin their careers,” Clark said. “It really is a remarkable program, and a great fit for our area. An initiative like this will help us to build a new generation of employees with the education and training needed to ensure that Carrollton will be a successful, thriving site for years to come.”

These 2015 graduates of the Applied Process Technology program held co-op positions and now work in full-time roles at the Carrollton site( L-R: Dylan Wesley, Danielle (Harsin) Mann, Ethan Merrill and Brody Gosman.) Photo provided courtesy of Jefferson Community & Technical College

Long-time collaborator Cabot Corporation announces plans to build a new fumed silica plant next to the Carrollton site with a groundbreaking ceremony to be held in late September in conjunction with the site’s 50th anniversary

2017

Production processes move into the old Arvin Meritor building – the ‘new’ 1201 production building becomes home to new downstream finishing and packaging processes


“Over the last decade, our entire

industry has experienced tectonic

shifts – requiring a response built

on foresight, agility, and focused

execution.”

Andrew N. Liveris Dow Chairman and CEO

2 2 | IMPACT

Dow and Dow Corning share a heritage of innovation through chemistry and 73 years of history as a joint venture partner.

As we build for the future together, we will build on the essential elements that have always defined us. This includes our commitments to safety, to the communities in which we operate, and to developing solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.

Dow Corning is an essential element in building the new Dow — the world’s leading material science company.

Driving growth in targeted markets, Dow Corning’s silicones chemistry is enabling Dow to go deeper and narrower in key markets:

Coatings & Additives Construction Consumer Electronics Energy Packaging Transportation

A New ELEMENTfor Growth.

14

SiSILICON

28.086


Proud of the past. Committed to the future.

Dow Chemical’s three facilities in Kentucky have been in operation collectively for over 170 years, and we are honored to call the Bluegrass State our home. We look forward to continuing our proud history of employee safety, operational excellence, process innovation, and community support for many years into the future.

Our Old Kentucky Home

STATEWIDE IMPACT

Plant acreage

(400 developed) 1,800

metric tons

Production

600,000

176 YEARS Combined in Kentucky

1,000+ Employees and contractors

(with some of the highest wages in the state)

$2 billion+Capital investment

Louisville (1945)

Elizabethtown (1963)

Carrollton (1967)

2 4 | IMPACT

a publication of the dow chemical company · 2017-12-11 · key markets for silicones •...

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