Number of Full-Time HSC Employees to Grow; Hiring to Continue
HEMLOCK, Mich. ― Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC) is updating its partnership with Qualified Staffing (QSS) by assuming direct operational control of polysilicon finishing operations at its facility in Hemlock, Mich. QSS will continue to support HSC by providing expanded flexible staffing across HSC’s operations through a temp-to-permanent model. Starting Jan. 11, 2022, a majority of QSS personnel will begin working directly for HSC, gaining
expanded benefits and additional career opportunities.
HSC produces hyper-pure polysilicon, the foundational material in semiconductors and solar panels. The company is integrating the QSS workers so it can assume full ownership of its core products and production. As the largest polysilicon producer in the U.S. and one of only five worldwide supplying the global semiconductor market, the company wants to integrate finishing operations into the rest of its production process.
“As the needs of the industries and customers we serve evolve, we believe it is essential that how we serve them also evolves. Therefore we believe that now is the right time for this move,” said Andy Ault, HSC Sr. Vice President of Manufacturing. “We believe that by integrating the QSS and HSC workforces, HSC will have a more unified, cohesive, working team, enabling higher quality products and more efficient operations. We look forward to the QSS employees
becoming part of the HSC team and believe that this will afford them more career options and growth within our company.”
HSC has worked with Qualified Staffing (QSS) of Saginaw since 2001 to hire and oversee finishing workers who break the polysilicon rods produced at HSC into chunks used by semiconductor and solar panel manufacturers. Those workers will now be part of HSC, although QSS will continue to hire and oversee new finishing workers as they go through a temp-topermanent period before being onboarded by HSC.
Once they join HSC, employees will be able to move into leadership posts or jobs outside of the finishing department, including training as production operators or participating in apprenticeship programs at the plant. Many QSS employees have been working in HSC’s finishing operations for years and bring a wealth of expertise to the company.
HSC expects attrition to shrink the number of QSS employees so that the majority of employees can be hired and the remaining can have the opportunity to stay with QSS in the temp-topermanent model on Jan. 11, 2022. QSS will continue to assist in hiring as HSC needs to add resources to manage business growth, attrition, and promotions.
“We’re excited to work with Hemlock Semiconductor as it moves to bring finishing workers into the HSC fold and grant them new opportunities for advancement,” said QSS President Doug Billot. “Many of our longtime finishing workers feel great loyalty to HSC and will look forward to becoming part of the direct HSC team.”
“HSC is committed to hiring those with diverse backgrounds and experiences,” said Raquel Ledesma, HSC Diversity & Community Liaison. “As we integrate former QSS employees into Hemlock Semiconductor, we’ll work hard to celebrate each employee’s unique differences and the strengths they bring to the company.”
HSC is making the move as customer demand grows more predictable, lessening the need for the flexible staffing model it had under QSS. In the past, the staffing company would add more contract employees as HSC produced more polysilicon and decrease staffing when production dropped. Finishing workers hired by HSC starting in 2022 can count on more predictable work schedules and a benefits package including health insurance, paid sick time and paid time off
(PTO).
About Hemlock Semiconductor
Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC) is a leading provider of hyper-pure polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, solar cells and modules. At HSC, we’re passionate about silicon-based technology and its unique potential to connect and energize the world we share. HSC’s polysilicon enables customers to produce high-tech electronics and solar energy, and our efficient manufacturing process delivers
products with an ultra-low-carbon footprint. HSC began operations in 1961.
More information is available at: hscpoly.com | @hscpoly | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube
For more information:
Kathy Barks Hoffman
(517) 256-9166
Khoffman@martinwaymire.com