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DuPont Belle: Team approach to chemical productivity and safety
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Employs approximately 425 DuPont employees and 160 contract employees in the Belle
manufacturing plant
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Produces two dozen products, including dimethyl sulfate for dyes, perfumes and fabric
softeners; the propellant dimethyl ether; methyl amines used in detergents, explosives,
pharmaceuticals and solvents; glycolic acid for cosmetics; a gamut of crop-protection
intermediate chemicals; and plastics components
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Received the DuPont Board of Director's Award for Excellence in Safety 30 times
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Earned the distinction of being the Safest Plant in the World in 1999
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Laboratory is both ISO certified and certified by the State Division of Environmental
Protection
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DuPont
Belle employs more than 580 people at its chemical plant in Belle, W. Va.
The manufacturing area occupies a 105-acre plot nearly a mile long. DuPont set aside
490 undeveloped acres as a Wildlife Habitat Area.
The Belle site has two river docks for shipping, rail service and five major trucking
terminals located within 20 miles of the site. The plant is within a few miles of
Interstates 64, 79 and 77.
“With West Virginia’s access to rail, river and road, we can transport
our raw materials in and our products out easily and efficiently,” said plant
manager Bill Menke.
Its chemical product line puts the DuPont Belle operation in competition with foreign
as well as U.S. manufacturers. The facility’s empowered work force and team-based
approach provides the flexibility they need to adapt to changing conditions in a
globally competitive marketplace. Said Menke, “Our team-based approach provides
a good environment that encourages people to contribute. Our work teams routinely
come up with ideas to improve operations and lower costs without sacrificing safety.”
Keeping that competitive edge is made easier with West Virginia’s reasonable
electrical power rates, productive work ethic, and responsive governmental agencies,
he said. “Perhaps because West Virginia is a small state, government officials
are accessible. We can arrange a forum for communications. They will talk to you
and work with you to meet your needs.”
Stockmeier Urethanes USA, Making the CASE for West Virginia
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A 35,000 square foot CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants and Elastomer) urethane
blending plant in Harrison County, West Virginia
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First North American production plant for German polyurethane system supplier Stockmeier
Kunststoffe GmbH & Co. KG
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Broke ground for plant construction in late 2003
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Modern automated facility designed to be safe, efficient, clean and easy to use
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Recruited entire work force — including plant operators, chemists and mangers
— through West Virginia Job Service
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Stockmeier Urethanes
USA is a CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants and Elastomers) urethane blender.
Parent company Stockmeier Urethanes develops, produces and sells polyurethane systems.
It constructed a production facility in Germany in 1991 and a second in France in
1996. In 2003, the corporation broke ground for a new full-size manufacturing operation
in Clarksburg. The West Virginia site established the global urethane supplier’s
first production enterprise in North America.
The automated plant is designed for ease of use, safety and efficiency. Unlike the
industry’s aging factories, the new West Virginia plant is built to concentrate
solely on polyurethane products. Applications include sports surfaces such as running
tracks, children’s playgrounds and artificial turf; decorative surfaces; weather-resistant
elastomers for roofs, parking decks and trucks; structural adhesives are available
for industrial applications; casting resins for cable, electrical and technical
applications; and ancillary products such as cleaners and catalysts.
West Virginia is located within overnight reach of 50% of the U.S. population. The
state’s proximity to major centers of commerce, combined with its extensive
network of interstates and highways, puts Stockmeier Urethanes USA within easy reach
of raw materials and customers across the country, said Vice President and Operations
Manager Michael Robinson.
“In all my hiring history, I have never obtained a better, brighter, more
dedicated group of employees,” said Robinson. “We filled all the positions,
including management, through the West Virginia Job Service. Working with the Job
Service gave us excellent results, and allowed me to focus more of my attention
on building the plant.”
Bayer MaterialScience, Producing innovative polyols in a safe work environment
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Employs a work force of approximately 180 in the South Charleston manufacturing
plant and technical center facilities
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Produces a very wide range of specialty polyols used in such diverse applications
as from automotive seating foam, furniture foam, footwear and recreational items.
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The only BMS location that produces high polymer solids content polyols and the
innovative Hyperlite III polyether polyols for the automotive seating market
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ISO Quality certified since 1994
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Zero non-compliance findings in both periodic surveillance and full re-certification
audits for the past 8 years
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Bayer MaterialScience employs about 180 people at its plant
and technical center in South Charlestown. As part of more than 40 sites throughout
the world, these facilities contribute to Bayer MaterialScience's worldwide leadership
in polyurethane production and technology.
Each year, the plant produces millions of pounds of polyols (a polyurethane raw
material) used in products that range from automotive seating foam to furniture
to inline skate wheels. The West Virginia facility is the only BMS location that
produces high polymer solids content polyols and the innovative Hyperlite III polyether
polyols for the automotive seating market.
West Virginia has the transportation infrastructure, the skilled workforce, and
the support of state government and industry associations necessary for ongoing
success, said Vice President Glenn Kraynie, BMS South Charleston Plant Management.
Being in West Virginia conveniently locates the manufacturer within one day of 74
percent of the U.S. polyols market. The facility can receive raw materials and ship
products by barge, rail and truck. West Virginia has highly trained skilled workers
and technical resources that support the chemical industry.
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