Cleveland, Tenn. , Oct 31, 2025

The WACKER Commons at the PIE Innovation Center Showcases Alexander Wacker Memorial Bust

The limited-edition Founder’s bust, formerly displayed at WACKER’s global headquarters in Munich, was gifted to the Tennessee operations to inspire students attending the Partners in Industry and Education (PIE) Innovation Center, where it now resides among statues of elite manufacturing pioneers.
The bust is housed in the company’s only named U.S. space—The WACKER Commons, a 14,000-square-foot event center adjacent to the PIE Innovation Center serving Southeast Tennessee.
The bust’s base was constructed by WACKER Charleston team members, symbolizing local craftsmanship and reinforcing the company’s commitment to workforce development in the region.

Representatives from Bradley County Schools, the PIE Innovation Center, and Wacker Chemical Corporation gathered to unveil a limited-edition bust of company founder Alexander Wacker. Once displayed at WACKER’s global headquarters in Munich, the bust now resides at the PIE Innovation Center as a tribute to the Charleston site’s contributions to advanced manufacturing and education.

The bust of WACKER founder Alexander Wacker — formerly displayed at the company’s global headquarters in Munich — now resides in The WACKER Commons in Cleveland, Tennessee. Gifted to inspire future tradespeople, its hand-crafted base, made by Charleston team members, honors local craftsmanship and innovation. (Source: WACKER)

The bust is prominently featured in The WACKER Commons, a dedicated space adjacent to the PIE Innovation Center that serves as a hub for community engagement and student development. Its handcrafted base—created by WACKER Charleston team members—embodies the spirit of precision and pride that defines the region’s skilled trades.

“This bust represents more than our company’s legacy—it’s a tribute to the spirit of innovation and hands-on excellence we hope to instill in every student who walks through the PIE Innovation Center,” said Chris Kowitz, president & CEO, Wacker Chemical Corporation. “We’re proud to contribute to a space that celebrates the future of manufacturing and the skilled trades.”

WACKER’s Charleston site, launched in 2016, is the company’s largest single investment globally and a cornerstone of its U.S. manufacturing footprint. Its advanced capabilities in hyper-pure polysilicon and pyrogenic silica production support industries ranging from electronics to healthcare. Charleston’s collaboration with the PIE Innovation Center reflects WACKER’s broader mission to connect global innovation——with local opportunity and workforce development in Tennessee.

“Having the Founder bust of Alexander Wacker among our collection of manufacturing pioneers at the PIE Innovation Center is a powerful symbol of global innovation and local opportunity,” said Dr. Linda Cash, superintendent of Bradley County Schools in Tennessee. “It reflects our commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades, and we’re honored to showcase this legacy as part of their educational journey.”

WACKER’s U.S. Manufacturing Footprint

WACKER’s Adrian, Michigan site—established in 1969—is the company’s oldest U.S. facility and a long-standing hub for silicone innovation. Originally chosen for its proximity to major automakers, Adrian now supports industries from automotive to healthcare, producing advanced silicone technologies including skin-friendly wound care products.

The site’s strategic role expanded with the 2022 opening of WACKER’s regional innovation center in Ann Arbor, now home to Wacker Chemical Corporation’s headquarters and technical operations across North and Central America. The facility also hosts the WACKER ACADEMY and technical center, supporting R&D, sales, and marketing.

WACKER’s robust presence throughout the Americas includes eight production plants, five technical centers and sales offices, 21 distributors, and a variety of R&D initiatives and application laboratories — demonstrating its deep commitment to regional innovation and customer support.

That commitment was further solidified with the launch of the Charleston, Tennessee site in 2016 — a $2.5 billion polysilicon facility built from the ground up. As the company’s largest single investment, Charleston is one of the most advanced production sites globally. Its expansion in 2019 added pyrogenic silica capabilities, reinforcing WACKER’s role in powering everyday products from electronics and cosmetics to healthcare and food.

The Charleston facility’s collaboration with the PIE Center reflects WACKER’s broader mission to connect global innovation -- like that pioneered in Adrian -- with local opportunity and workforce development in Tennessee. Together, these sites represent a continuum of excellence, from research and development to hands-on training and production.