One of Western Kentucky's Best Kept Secrets

OLD HICKORY CLAY COMPANY

Few people are aware that a thriving international business has been operating under our noses for nearly a century. Old Hickory Clay Company, which is still owned and operated by the Powell family after 90 years, mines ball clay in nearby Graves and Hickman Counties, as well in northwest Tennessee. One of the few locations in the world that holds deposits of the mineral, which is used in the production of bathroom fixtures, ceramic tile, china, pottery, glazes, and construction materials, among other uses.

Rotarian Lee Powell is the President and COO of Old Hickory, who took over leadership of the company from his father and fellow Rotarian, Joe Powell. Lee is the 4th generation to lead the company headquartered in Hickory. Today, Old Hickory is one of only four ball clay companies in North America and one of only seven companies worldwide. The remaining three are Belgium and French. The French company, in fact acquired Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Company recently.

Ball clay mining, not to be confused with surface coal mining, is environmentally-friendly, not only to mine, but for its use in reclamation efforts and to line landfills. Powell said ball clay mines are only about 20 to 30 acres in size and can be mined for up to 50 years. Preserving and reclaiming the mine sites are a top priority. In fact, reclaimed mines make great residential sites.

Powell said Old Hickory remains "stubbornly in control" of all phases of the ball clay process at the 13 active mine locations from mining to processing to shipping. Old Hickory even operates a website from which pottery materials for artists can be purchased: www.clayworld.com.

However, challenges remain in the industry.Globalization/Consolidation; Market Matriculation (higher fuel costs); Government Regulation (state and federal mining regulations); Technical Innovation; Global Warming/Sustainable Development Powell said "Old Hickory didn't leave the industry, the industry left us." Very few of their manufacturing clients are in the U.S. Even American Standard and Kohler have moved their plants to Mexico where products can be produced much more cheaply. " A toilet made in the U.S. costs $45. A toilet made in Mexico costs $22 and a toilet made in China costs $5."

In an effort to meet some of the industry challenges, Old Hickory has also branched out into the aggregate business with a Mid-South Construction company and a limestone quarry in Grand Rivers, which shipped out 1 million tons of limestone in 2007. Powell reiterated that Old Hickory was not for sale despite rumors to the contrary. He said they still hold millions of tons of ball clay and he expects the company to be around for another 90 years.

FEATURED ROTARIAN

Featured Rotarian Glen Anderson introduced this week's Featured Rotarian: Phil McIntosh. Phil is a 15 year member of Rotary and has served on various committees and is currently serving on the Board of Directors. He holds a degree in civil engineering from U.K, where he met his wife, Sarah. After working for a local engineering for several years, Phil started his own firm, which subsequently merged with another firm and is now called Farris, McIntosh and Trupper. Phil has also been very active on other community boards, including the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce Board. He has two children, Nathan who is a third year medical student and Lauren, who is a nurse, working toward advanced degrees. Notable Fact about Phil: He is the great, great, great, great, great, great, grandson of legendary Kentucky explorer Daniel Boone. Phil says that is why "He is often bewildered, but never lost."