Arabinda ‘AB’ Ghosh to join as COO on Sept. 27 and transition to CEO at end of year, succeeding Mark Bassett
HEMLOCK, Mich. — Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC), the country’s largest manufacturer of hyper-pure polysilicon used in solar panels and semiconductors, today announced a leadership transition that will begin with the appointment of Arabinda “AB” Ghosh as Chief Operating Officer on Sept. 27.
Current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Bassett plans to retire from the role at year’s end, and Ghosh will assume his responsibilities as Chairman and CEO at that time. Bassett will continue to support the company with its growth initiatives and plans to stay involved in the local community. Ghosh joins HSC after a distinguished career as a top executive with Akzo Nobel and Nouryon, global leaders in specialty chemical and coatings manufacturing, where he led business units with revenues of up to $2.4 billion, more than 50 plant locations in multiple countries and more than 6,000 employees.
Bassett has led HSC as CEO since 2016 when HSC became a stand-alone company. Bassett previously had a 26-year career at Dow and Union Carbide.
“AB Ghosh is exceptionally well-qualified to serve as HSC’s next leader and brings a strong portfolio of executive leadership experience and a 30-year track record of success in management and finance roles to his new position,” Bassett said. “HSC is focused on competitiveness and excellence in the hyper-pure polysilicon market and also seeks to be a sustainable company that energizes and connects our world. AB believes in the vision and in the company culture that has gotten us here. His diversified skill set in managing complex market portfolios and delivering against financial and operational metrics will be an important asset to the company as we continue to strengthen HSC’s position as a global market leader.”
Ghosh began his career as an internal audit manager with Deloitte in England and shortly thereafter joined Courtaulds, a UK-based manufacturer of fabric, clothing, artificial fibers and chemicals, in a group finance role. When the company was acquired by Akzo Nobel in 1998, he quickly moved up the ranks of executive leadership, taking on positions with progressive responsibility for global business units until the company’s specialty chemicals business was sold to The Carlyle Group in 2018 and rebranded as Nouryon. He continued as President and Managing Director, Global Surface Chemistry for Nouryon until departing at the end of 2019 to pursue consulting opportunities with several of the world’s leading private equity firms.
“I am honored to join the Hemlock family during such an exciting time for the company,” Ghosh said. “Thanks to Mark’s extraordinary leadership in standing up HSC as an independent company, we are now in a position to leverage tremendous growth opportunities in the domestic market and around the world, driven by a clear and compelling vision based on core principles of quality, sustainability and innovation. I am excited about becoming Hemlock’s next chief
executive and believe our company is well-positioned for the future.”
Ghosh and his wife, Tracy, are in the process of relocating from Georgia to their new home in Michigan. The couple has two adult sons. He completed his education in England and received his chartered accountancy from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
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 can be found at: hscpoly.com | @hscpoly | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube
For more information:
Kathy Barks Hoffman
(517) 256-9166
khoffman@martinwaymire.com