Located in Tacoma’s tide flats or coastal wetlands area of Tacoma, the plant began operations in 1947—the first year the World Series was televised. The Tacoma plant became part of the Olin family in August 2007. Olin is now the leading industrial bleach manufacturer in North America. Plus, the addition of the Tacoma plant provides the company with a strategically situated outlet to the Pacific Northwest—an area that continues to add water treatment plants. Bleach plays an important role in water purification.

There are 18 dedicated people who work at the Tacoma plant. Olin spends almost a half million dollars annually with all sorts of local businesses, purchasing goods and services and supporting more than 20 local jobs. Olin Tacoma pays annual taxes—taxes that go to schools, to community services and development and to those in need. In the end, however, it’s people that make the difference.

As a corporate neighbor, it’s important that we add value to life in Tacoma. Adding value means giving of ourselves to charitable and worthwhile efforts in the community, whether it’s creating them or contributing to them. Olin works with a number of local charitable organizations. We support local education and community schools through involvement in programs like science fairs, helping students prepare projects and compete at the events. Our people also participate in programs like the United Way Day of Caring, and a number assist in local youth sports leagues. Olin contributes to charitable organizations like the United Way and the American Red Cross, and we encourage our people to volunteer their time to these and other worthwhile organizations.

Washington State’s third-largest city, Tacoma, with 202,000 residents, is called “The City of Destiny.” Resting on the shores of Commencement Bay, Tacoma is an international gateway to the Pacific Rim and the world. It’s also the gateway to some of the magnificent wonders of the world, like Puget Sound, Mount Rainier National Park, and the vast Olympic Peninsula. Tacoma’s historic downtown waterfront has been revitalized with marinas, parks and the famous International Museum of Glass.

Tacoma was part of America’s early fur trade and home to a Hudson Bay Company outpost. In the early days, it became an important destination as the western terminus for the country’s transcontinental railroad system. The city supports a multifaceted arts program that encourages artists to follow and practice their creative profession. Since Tacoma is an international port, it attracts business from all over the world and has 10 sister cities throughout the world to strengthen international partnerships.

One of our main goals at Olin Tacoma is a safe working and living environment for our people and their families and our neighbors. Olin takes precautions to ensure that no employee or community resident is ever put at risk.

When it comes to safety, the chemical industry is one of the safest in the nation. Over the past five years, Olin Tacoma has invested $1.3 million in plant improvements. We recently added additional security cameras and upgraded the fencing and security in the chlorine rail car off-loading area. In addition to that, we installed more alarms and interlocks on chemical storage facilities and upgraded and expanded our chlorine sensor system.

Olin Tacoma is currently engaged in a significant project to improve the quality of product supplied to various water and wastewater treatment facilities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

In 2006 and 2007, the Tacoma plant invested more than $750,000 in improvements to accomplish this and also to reduce the potential environmental impact. Tacoma is committed to safety, and we constantly strive to improve our performance.