Posted on 01/14/2013 11:59:47 AM PST by EXCH54FE
HEMLOCK, Mich. – Hemlock Semiconductor Group has announced that it will lay off approximately 400 employees in Michigan and Tennessee in the coming weeks due to significant oversupply in the polysilicon industry and the threat of potential tariffs on its products sold into China.
The layoffs will affect approximately 300 employees at Hemlock’s Clarksville Tennessee site and 100 at its Michigan site. According to a release from Hemlock Semiconductor Group, if the market conditions continue, the layoffs could become permanent.
“This is a difficult but necessary decision to enable Hemlock Semiconductor to navigate the volatility in the polysilicon and solar industries,” said Andrew Tometich, President of Hemlock Semiconductor. “The unresolved trade disputes among the U.S., China and Europe are a major factor in Hemlock Semiconductor’s actions as the threat of tariffs on U.S. polysilicon imported into China has significantly decreased orders from China, which is home to one of the largest markets for our products.”
The Tennessee facility will maintain a minimum workforce focused on safely maintaining the site for eventual production. A number of factors will impact the exact timing of the start-up of the facility, including customer demand and resolution of the trade disputes.
Oh, oh, my brother works there.
Oh, oh, my brother works there.
Can you say for whom they make parts? FReepmail if you don’t want to say on the board....
Bad jokes aside, this crap is just starting; as the reality of Obamacare and tax increases closes in, companies are going to be laying people off in far greater numbers.
Guess they had a tall glass of hemlock.....
That’s an interesting website. It seems ultra-pure Si is their main product (of which the solar is a part). They supply the silicon used by companies that “pull” and slice the ingots used by manufacturers like Intel.
This could be another story of a company damaged by an attempt to enter the non-lucrative “solar market.”
This is just the beginning, I’m afraid.
HSC used to be Consumer’s biggest customer, even with all the GM plants put together. Not sure any more though.
Big time bad news for this area.
The $1.2 billion plant near the Kentucky border was scheduled to begin production of polycrystalline silicon in late 2012, but was later pushed back to 2013. The compound is used in solar energy panels.
Well-stated (on many levels) and ROFLMAO funny! GRRRRRREAT ping/post, 'creek!
BUMP-TO-THE-TRUTH
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
