For a county of only 100,000 people, Lenawee County makes a significant impact on the world through its thriving research and development, the foundation of everything, which plays a pivotal role in our everyday lives. From the formulation of shampoo and hand soap to the compound design of parts used in cars and sporting goods, chemistry is more present than most people realize. In Lenawee County, Research and Development companies are leading the way by producing a variety of products with wide-ranging applications.
Company Spotlight: Anderson Development
Founded in 1968 by Amos “Andy” Anderson in his hometown of Adrian, MI, Anderson Development Company started as a small business producing key ingredients for medicine. Over time, the company has grown, creating various products that improve the quality of life while reducing environmental impacts. Anderson’s products can be found in cars, homes, workplaces, tools, and even toys.
Throughout its 54-year history, Anderson Development has resisted the trend of outsourcing, continuing to manufacture in Adrian and remaining competitive with both Asia and Europe. Today, the company serves a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, producing thousands of proprietary products for well-known brands like BMW, Toyota, and Harley Davidson.
Company Spotlight: Wacker Chemical
Wacker started its North American operations in 1969, in Adrian Michigan, manufacturing silicones. Since then, the plant has grown to employ 550 workers and house Wacker North America’s Administration, finance, marketing, sales, and technical departments.
In addition to bringing increased economic prosperity to the community, Wacker is committed to ensuring environmental protection is integral throughout the manufacturing process. All of their operations comply with the global chemical industry’s Responsible Care® initiative. Each year, they assist with Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day.
Company Spotlight: Ervin Industries
Founded in 1920, Ervin Industries has long been a leader in the metal abrasives industry. The company’s products are recognized as benchmarks for durability and impact energy. John Ervin, the founder, developed a patent for Metallic Blasting Materials, which propelled Ervin Industries to global leadership in blast cleaning, shot peening, and advanced metal powders.
Supporting the Industry: Initiatives and Programs
To support the growth of the chemical industry in Lenawee County, several key initiatives have been implemented:
You Be the Chemist Challenge®: This free competition, developed by the Chemical Education Foundation, engages students in grades 5-8. Students from across Lenawee County participate in this competition by answering timed questions about chemistry concepts. This year, teams will also demonstrate their creativity by creating video responses to propose innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Talent Pipeline Management® Collaborative: Lenawee County’s Research and Development Companies have faced challenges in filling entry-level positions to meet growing demand. To address this, Lenawee Now, in partnership with the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD) and Michigan Works Southeast, formed a collaboration of chemical manufacturers. Funded by a Michigan Industry Cluster Approach grant, this collaborative utilizes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) approach to build and manage their talent pipeline. Jack Townsley, a recent LISD retiree and TPM Academy® graduate leads this effort, helping connect local talent with opportunities in the chemical industry.