Self Employed? Small Business? We Have Health Insurance For You! Dave Cunix Wood Trader carries a unique selection of beautiful artwork. Landscape your home! SAVE NOW ON OUR FRAMED ARTWORK! SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES 13429 Cedar Road • Cleveland Heights • 216-397-7671 www.woodtraderframing.com • M-F 10-6 • Sat 10-5 216.292.8700 Bogart Cunix & Browning, LLC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT & INSURANCE SERVICES 5900 Landerbrook Drive #201 • Mayfield Heights thecunix@bogartcunix.com • www.bcandb.com BASF Expands Beachwood R&D Site On July 1, BASF held a grand opening event to celebrate the completion of its $25 million renovation at its Beachwood-based research and development (R&D) facility. In addition to the existing catalyst- and battery-materials research, the facility was renovated to make space for a new cathode-materials research team and a team of researchers who are focused on chemicaland process-engineering. As a result of this renovation and expansion, the number of employees has practically doubled, having gone from 52 employees in 2012 to more than 90 by the end of 2015. “Expansion of the Beachwood facility allows us to optimize our research activities by bringing together a high degree of expertise in chemical catalyst, battery materials and process engineering in a greatly enhanced, and highly collaborative operating environment,” said Peter Pfab, BASF vice president, catalyst Research, who is based at the site. The Beachwood site has been a hub of Catalyst research for more than 35 years. The existing battery-materials research team was established in 2009 to focus on advanced materials for lithium-ion batteries in advance of the opening in 2012 of a new materials production facility in nearby Elyria, Ohio. “Our investment in Beachwood will allow us to focus on developing new battery materials that can provide higher energy density, greater power, increased safety and lower cost,” said Andreas Fischer, BASF vice president, Battery Research and Electrochemistry. “These are the key areas in which the chemical industry can play a significant role in determining the future performance of batteries for electromobility, helping drive higher adoption rates for hybrid and full electric vehicles in North America and around the world.” BASF is focused on developing a full suite of advanced cathode and electrolyte solutions for current and next generation lithium-ion batteries as well as for future battery systems. With Beachwood in North America, Ludwigshafen in Europe, and Amagasaki in Japan, the company now has R&D facilities in all three markets that support customers’ individual requirements. The State of Ohio – through its JobsOhio effort – provided BASF with a $1 million JobsOhio R&D investment loan and a $50,000 JobsOhio Workforce Grant. BASF is located at 23800 Mercantile Road, a hub of catalyst research for more than 35 years. Additional information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com. Chemist Kathryn Gee, one of the recent new hires working in the BASF analytical lab in Beachwood. Employment at the new lab will grow from approximately 52 employees in 2012 to more than 90 in 2015. Mayor Merle S. Gorden (right) presents a proclamation to Peter Pfab declaring this day as BASF Day in Beachwood, Ohio. Mayor Merle S. Gorden joined the BASF team to plant a commemorative apple tree to symbolize the growth and investment that the company has made to a new research and development facility in Beachwood. Pictured from left: Peter Walther, Jordan Lampert, Peter Pfab, Mayor Merle S. Gorden, John Ferek, Peter Schuhmacher, Dirk Demuth, Wilfried Seyfert and Keith Lutz. 32 Beachwood Buzz n August 2015