Birla Carbon Plant Marks 75 Year Anniversary

For as long as many of us can remember, there has been a carbon black plant in Grant County. It began in 1937 when Peerless Carbon opened the first plant just outside of Hickok. United Carbon entered the picture in 1940 when they opened the largest carbon black plant in the world in the southeast part of Grant County. The building of the Hickok plant was commissioned in 1945 and became operational in November 1946 as Columbian Carbon. In the 1960s, both Peerless Carbon and United Carbon idled the production of their plants. Columbian Chemicals Company was born in 1980 with eleven carbon black plants. Finally, in 2011, the Hickok plant became part of Birla Carbon with the acquisition of Columbian Chemicals by Aditya Birla Group.

On November 10, 2021, Birla Carbon Hickok celebrated a milestone as they recognized 75 years of operations with past and present employees at an evening dinner which was highlighted by an address from Chief Executive Officer John Loudermilk. The evening also included remarks from Mark McGaughey, General Manager at Birla Carbon Hickok and a presentation of awards to employees for their continuous service through the years.

According to Loudermilk, “Seventy-five years is a remarkable milestone and a first for Birla Carbon facilities globally. I can’t say how proud I am of what you have brought to Birla Carbon.” McGaughey added these comments, “Our employees are the most valuable asset for us and during the pandemic, despite the challenges, each of them stepped up and continued to work without missing any production orders. Not just the Hickok plant, but globally, all our plants have stood the test of time, in their own ways, and have emerged victorious.”

Several employees were recognized for their years of service. They included David Langley, 40 years; Tim Koop, Eloy Mendoza and Brian Hackerott (retired), 30 years; Sanford Yost, 20 years; Martin Hernandez, 15 years; Shayla Montez, 10 years; and Paula Ybarra, Dwight Wehner and Derick Peters, 5 years.