BUILDING ON THE PAST, READY FOR THE FUTURE: - MEMC

FEBRUARY 2009
NO. 1 / VOL. 1
A MESSAGE FROM THE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
BUILDING ON THE PAST.
READY FOR THE FUTURE.
It was in August of 1959 that Monsanto broke
ground at our St. Peters manufacturing plant. That,
first, small shovelful of dirt was the beginning
of our history. This small beginning helped grow
MEMC into the prosperous rich,
colorful, and global corporation
we are today.
Over the course of this year,
through four installments of this
newsletter, we will explore the
people, plants and capabilities
that compose our global
corporation. This issue is devoted
to Italy, with its long history,
expansions, and diversity. We take this opportunity
to learn more about our European teammates, and
congratulate them on a job well done.
Throughout our history we have survived both
highs and lows, and we are now the better for it.
We attribute our survival to the teammates that
make the extra effort, and go the distance to help
develop a new technology, change an operational
procedure, and bring a product to market. This
year more than ever we rely on our teammates to
continue the traditions we have built throughout
our 50 years of excellence. 2009 brings both
a celebration for us, and new challenges from
the difficult economy and the customary rapid
changes that underlie the two important and
stimulating markets we live in – semiconductors
and solar power. As we look ahead to the next 50
years, and a prosperous future, let’s make sure we
remember those who have come before us and
helped make us the success that we are.
Happy anniversary!
Marshall C. Turner
Interim President and CEO
MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
FIFTY YEARS OF ENABLING THE WORLD’S TECHNOLOGY
A History of MEMC Italy
THE BEGINNING
The history of MEMC Italy began at
the end of World War I. Up until 1920 the
area where the factory now stands, was
swampy and deserted. At that time the
swamp was fortuitously drained because
in 1923 Montecatini (the most important
Italian chemical industry of the age), carried
out feasibility studies to determine if a
power station could be constructed in the
area. The goal was to supply electric power
for the production of chemical fertilizer.
Although the power station was ultimately
not constructed, a Montecatini
Group Company built a chemical plant
that produced nitrogenized fertilizer. The
“Alto Adige Ammonia” is now known as
the MEMC Merano Plant. Its 1926 opening
was quite a grand event. In addition to local
dignitaries, employees, and residents, the
the plant was opened by Italian King Vittorio
Emmanuele III.
THE MOVE TOWARD SILICON
During the German occupation of WWII,
the plant was dedicated to the production
of heavy water, methanol and other chemi-
1962, polysilicon
plant C
A Italian King Victor Emmanuel III, at plant start
up in 1926.
over thirty expatriates, people who work outside
their home countries, but whose compensation
and career are tied to their employer back home.
While the experience of working in other countries
certainly provides one with an opportunity to
develop the cross-cultural skills that are necessary
for dealing with the complexities of international
business, it can also be a trying experience not only
for the employee, but for their families as well.
Working as an expatriate requires the patience to
learn to adapt to the culture one has joined instead
of asking the culture to adapt to him. The value,
both to the company and the individual, lies in
embracing and understanding a culture outside of
one’s own native culture.
the Future at MeMC
cal compounds of strategic importance.
In the years after the Second World
War, the Merano plant made and developed
various chemical products, and went
through periods of growth and contraction.
By 1940, Merano employed 1200 people,
and these teammates worked on several
different chemicals. In the 1950s, production
of sulphate of ammonia was stopped
and tests on metallic lithium and beryllium
began, ultimately ending with tests on light
alloys such as titanium. Finally, in 1958,
in order to diversify and expand into new
(continued on next page)
MEMC celebrates its fiftieth anniversary by developing a new
newsletter for all employees worldwide called WFR News.
When Ahmad Chatila was named president and
chief executive officer in March of 2009, he was
placed at the helm of a company that is a leading
supplier to the almost $1 trillion electronics market
From 1959 to 2009, MEMC has stood for technological excellence.
and the $18 billion solar industry. A global company
in every sense of the word, MEMC has locations in
the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia,
and Italy. Employing approximately five thousand
people around the world, MEMC’s workforce
is arguably one of the most highly educated
workforces in industry.
No other technological advancement has impacted
human history more than that which has made the
MeMC koreA CoMPAny, CheonAn
1993 & 1998 Best Safety Management
2002 Awarded “Excellent Rewarding Work
Places together with Labor-
Management” from Korea Employers
Federation
2002 Awarded “Man & Woman Employment
Equality Excellent Enterprise” by the
Ministry of Labor
2006 Best Human Resources Developer
Certification from the Ministry of
Education and Human Resources and
Labor
Equations for Success 79