Degussa Goldschmidt's Janesville Plant Celebrates 50 Years of Operations 

Company Cites Skilled Workforce, Positive Local Business Attitude For Success 

JANESVILLE, Wis., August 28, 2007 – Degussa Goldschmidt’s plant celebrates 50 years of continuous operations today by honoring the plant’s employees, thanking city officials, and promising to be a good corporate citizen.  

Dr. Reinhold Brand, President of Goldschmidt Chemical Corporation and Senior Vice President and General Manager of Degussa’s Care & Surface Specialties North America Business Unit, told more than 100 invited guests that Degussa had invested $6.6 million at the plant this year to secure the future of the site.  

“This is a rare opportunity to thank employees, their families and the community for their support and loyalty,” said Dr. Brand. “Janesville is a great place to live and work. We maintain a safe workplace, seek to improve the environment, employ local people, pay taxes, help local schools, and contribute to numerous community organizations.  In an age when manufacturing is shifting work abroad and jobs are being lost in the US, we want to remain local -- right here in Janesville.”  

Brand said the major investment by Essen, Germany-based Degussa GmbH gives the site the ability to use the latest technology to benefit the company’s products, obtain better productivity at the plant and improve the company’s already high customer satisfaction rate.  

‘We have spent significantly to secure the future of the site, but to me, the greatest investment we have made here in Janesville is not in the concrete and steel and pipes and roads but in our highly motivated, highly committed and highly talented workforce.”  

Brand noted that the site has a colorful history.  Before the facility was built in 1957, the property was owned by the Wisconsin River Power Company, which operated a hydroelectric plant operated along the southwestern portion of the site, where the current boiler house is now housed.  

“Fifty years ago, a group of locals formed the Varney Chemical Company to meet the needs of consumers who sought softer water,” said Brand. “Varney began producing fabric softener on the property, using a 2,000-gallon reactor and several storage tanks.  The site prospered and was purchased by a number of companies over the years.  In 1999, the Janesville operation was purchased by Goldschmidt Chemical Corporation.”  

In 2001, Goldschmidt became a wholly owned subsidiary of Degussa the world’s leading specialty company.    

Brand noted that Degussa Goldschmidt’s recent investments include a Methyl Chloride Recovery Project that will improve the environment by reducing emissions an Emollient Ester Project that will bring a new product line to the Janesville site and a Belt Pastillation Project that will put a new shape (a pastille) to a well-known product for the hair care rinse market.   

“We are extremely proud of our history and our operations at Janesville ability to adapt to an ever-changing business and market climate. I believe our investment here is good for Degussa, good for our employees, good for the economy and good for the community,” said Brand. “We want to be good neighbors, to stay in constant communication with the community and be responsive to their needs.  And we want to be here another 50 years.”  

Dignitaries invited to the ceremony included Janesville City Manager Steve Sheiffer, State Representative Michael Sheridan, Doug Venable, Director of Economic Development for the City of Janesville, and Brian Barbieur of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The Janesville site employs 76 and creates essentials used in everyday essential products such as shampoos, deodorants and shower gels.

Degussa: Creating Essentials™
Degussa Corporation is part of Degussa GmbH – a wholly owned subsidiary of the RAG Group. Degussa GmbH is the global market leader in specialty chemicals. Its business is creating essentials: innovative products and system solutions that make indispensable contributions to its customers’ success. In fiscal 2006 around 36,000 employees worldwide generated sales of 10.9 billion euros and operating profits (EBIT) of more than 870 million euros.