Hemlock’s $1.2 billion Clarksville facility is nearly complete on Jim Johnson Road off Highway 79.CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -
Hemlock Semiconductor is laying off 300 employees at its plant in Clarksville.
According to a news release, the layoffs are in response to a significant oversupply in the polysilicone industry and the threat of protective tariffs on its product sold into China.
One hundred employees at Hemlock's Michigan plant are also losing their jobs.
Hemlock Semiconductor began operations in Hemlock, Michigan in 1961 and is one of the world's leading suppliers of polycrystalline silicon, a material used in solar technology.
The company broke ground on its Clarksville plant in 2009 and construction of the $1.2 billion facility is nearly complete.
Should market conditions persist, the layoffs could become permanent.
"This is a difficult but necessary decision to enable Hemlock Semiconductor to navigate the volatility in the polysilicon and solar industries," Andrew Tometich, president of Hemlock Semiconductor, said of layoffs.
Hemlock Semiconductor's Michigan site will continue to reduce production to align with current customer demand.
The Tennessee facility will maintain a minimum workforce focused on safely maintaining the site for eventual production.
A number of factors will impact the exact timing of the start-up of the facility, including customer demand and resolution of the trade disputes.
Refresh this page for updates on this developing story.
Previous Stories:
- May 18, 2011: Middle Tennesseans change careers to work in solar industry
- May 17, 2011: $3B Hemlock Semiconductor expansion possible in Clarksville
- Dec. 21, 2010: Building of new Clarksville plant employs 1,150
- Oct. 7, 2010: Hemlock Semiconductor announces career fair in Clarksville
- July 15, 2010: Road leading to future Hemlock Semiconductor plant opens
- Nov. 12, 2009: Clarksville semiconductor plant begins construction
- April 17, 2009: APSU gets ready for Hemlock solar plant jobs
- March 19, 2009: Groundbreaking held for new solar technology plant in Clarksville
- Dec. 13, 2008: Billion dollar project planned for Clarksville
