Robert Bushman of Solarsilicon Recycling to Receive Award
Santa Barbara, CA – August 22, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Robert Bushman, the CEO of Solarsilicon Recycling Services, was awarded the Pacific Coast Business Times Spirit of Small Business Award August 18, at its annual luncheon award ceremony.
The Pacific Coast Business Times, working with the Los Angeles District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, nominate small businesses every year with the criteria based on the nominee’s ability to demonstrate a record of accomplishment and staying power, the ability to overcome adversity, community outreach/support and green business practices.
Bushman, 54, who formed the Camarillo-based company in 1996, has seen the firm grow from processing off-spec silicon for one solar customer in Camarillo, to being the world leader in solar feedstock processing in the 15 years it’s been in operation.
“When I got started, I saw how Siemens Solar, a local firm, threw away these parts that contained silicon. It was really eye-opening at how much waste was randomly thrown out,” said Bushman. “It was then when I realized that this throw-away scrap could be recycled and used.”
Solarsilicon collects discarded and damaged silicon, which comes primarily from the polysilicon and ingot manufacturing process, and runs it through their proprietary testing and etching processes which produces a high-grade silicon which can be reused in solar industry products.
“I am extremely happy that my company has been recognized for a Spirit of Small Business award,” said Bushman. “Who would have thought that my scrap metal business would have led to this.”
Calling it the “Ultimate Green Company,” Bushman said Solarsilicon has been through a whirlwind of activity this year that included the purchase of a $6.3 million industrial building and a hiring spree that will see the company’s employee roster hit 100 by year-end. Indeed, the company plans to invest between $3 and $5 million in the property, which it will use as an incubator for refining its silicon cleaning process.
For Bushman, the reasons for the growth of his company are very simple and lie in the tremendous growth in the solar industry over the last decade and the hard working staff that he employs making sure SRS always stays ahead of the proverbial curve. Today, the solar industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and is projected to be the choice renewable of the future.
Solarsilicon Recycling Services
Located at 322 Aviador Street in Camarillo, Calif., SolarSilicon Recycling Services, LLC. is the world leader in silicon feedstock processing with over 3000 metric tons of SRS processed silicon in solar cells worldwide for the solar industry. For more information, please call 805-388-8683, or visit http://www.solarsilicon.com/
