SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Local Chemical Business Expanding to Florence

Because of the growth in demand for the many products they create, local Round Rock company Exfluor is adding a second location. The new 30,000 square foot facility is being constructed on a 36-acre campus in Florence. Florence is located 13 miles west of Georgetown and 40 miles north of Austin in northwestern Williamson County. According to the 2020 census, there are 816 residents in the city limits and Exfluor will become one of Florence’s largest employers.

Exfluor’s niche is the conversion of hydrocarbons to fluorocarbons and Vice President Dr. Tom Bierschenk explained this process is valuable because few companies are able to do it. Many household and commercial products depend on fluorocarbons for manufacture, including waterproofing agents, lubricants, sealants, and leather conditioners.

Exfluor advertises that their products and technology are used in everything from satellites to televisions. Specifically, they have patents for chemical products used in the manufacture of extended wear contact lens, computer hard drives, cooling methods for reconnaissance drones, drug delivery systems for inhalers, and anti-wrinkle skincare creams.

Bierschenk explained that a fluorocarbon bond is one of the strongest and most stable bonds known and Exfluor is able to manufacture unique structures in gram to multi-ton quantities, developing new kinds of products that are specially formulated to meet customer requirements. Exfluor also offers unique and innovative compounds at scale, which means they can accept and deliver on business requests from large and small companies alike.

ABOUT EXFLUOR

Exfluor was founded in the 1980s by UT Austin chemistry professor, Dr. Richard Lagow. One of his first discoveries was a graphite fluoride, which is used in lithium batteries. Dr. Lagow recruited some of his doctoral students to work for Exfluor, and Dr. Bierschenk was among them. Dr. Bierschenk has since been promoted to Vice President and is also a co-owner.

The company’s early efforts focused on research for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Air Force. At that time, the company emphasis was on specialty space lubricants, nonflammable hydraulic fluids, and specialty coatings. Exfluor grew after developing a rubber for O rings that would stay sufficiently cool to prevent disasters such as the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion.

In the 1990s, Exfluor’s main focus was research. In the millennium, the company shifted its focus to manufacturing and now has more than 25 U.S. patents covering their fluorination process and many fluorinated products. Exfluor also has a medical subsidiary, FluoroMed, that focuses on medical chemicals. Two applications of the medical subsidiary are a fluid that can be used to inflate the lungs of premature babies and a contrast agent used in ultrasound imaging. Dr. Bierschenk said the Florence location will house primarily Exfluor businesses and the majority of the products produced will be non-hazardous. Because of FluoroMed’s medical applications, all products manufactured by FluoroMed are subject to stringent FDA regulations.

CORPORATE STRENGTH

Exfluor stayed open during the pandemic lockdown having been classified as an essential business. As a science and engineering-based company, Exfluor currently employs six Ph.D. level scientists, three chemical engineers, and four mechanical engineers. The expansion to Florence means the company will have room to grow as demand continues to increase for their products.

Exfluor’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Tyson Railey, said Florence’s current growth makes their planned expansion a smart move. As the Austin metro area expands, and corporate megasites continue to develop in other parts of Williamson County, the city is well-situated to become one of the next cities to experience a population boom. Railey said Exfluor chose Williamson County as the location for their second facility because of the area’s business-friendly and environmentally responsible policies. As a good community partner, Exfluor has already been active in fundraising events for Florence ISD and Chamber of Commerce. Railey said Exfluor leadership is excited to continue to contribute to the Florence community and looks forward to hosting Science Days and other events for schools and scouting troops.

The Florence facility is in the final permitting stage and is expected to break ground within the next few months.

WILCO BUSINESS REVIEW

HIGH TECH JOB SCAMS

by Ben Lake

When I was in high school the process of applying for a job was straightforward. I can remember people going around to all the businesses in town and nervously asking for a job application. If you were lucky you got a call back from the establishment where several of your friends already worked. Nowadays, the initial application process—and sometimes the whole interview process—is done remotely. This has made it much easier to cast your résumé far and wide, but it has also opened up opportunities for ne’er-dowells to scam the unsuspecting. Following, we will explore different pitfalls to watch out for if you or someone you know is job hunting online.

The most common job scam is one that claims you can make thousands of dollars a month (or even a week!) by working just a few hours a day from home. Online banner ads, unsolicited spam emails, or even actual signs nailed to a telephone pole in your neighborhood will proclaim the riches you can earn by sitting at your computer.

Most of us shake our heads when we see these ads, incredulous that anyone would fall for such an obvious trick. But to those on a tight budget or desperate for some quick cash, the allure can be tempting. Who knows, maybe it will result in some money in your pocket?

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Work-from-home scams generally fall into two categories: (1) the scammer just wants to steal your money, or (2) you may earn money but are unknowingly participating in a criminal enterprise. In the first scenario, you might receive a check from your new employer with instructions to purchase something, send it to your boss, and keep the remainder for yourself. Or you’re asked to pay for something upfront like a certification or a hiring fee and are promised a check to reimburse you. Then, the check bounces and you’re stuck holding the bill.

In the second scenario, you might be asked to receive packages or buy gift cards and re-ship them overseas. You become a money mule helping criminals launder their ill-gotten gains and get yourself into legal trouble as well. A variation on the money mule scam involves online dating websites. You find the person of your dreams and they ultimately ask for your help in cashing checks, buying gift cards, or performing other financial transactions.

Everyone loves to be wanted, and it can be flattering to have a headhunter reach out to you with an offer for a big step up the corporate ladder. But if there is any request to pay money then stop communicating right away. No legitimate job placement firm should require the applicant to pay for anything.

Lastly, a new type of job scam has been making the rounds and this one doesn’t attempt to steal money from you, at least initially. In this scam you respond to a promising job offer on a legitimate job website, get an interview by phone or video chat, and are—joy of joys!—formally offered the job.

You fill out all the usual new hire paperwork, which asks for plenty of personal information: address, date of birth, social security number, even bank account details for direct deposit of paychecks. Yep. You just gave a criminal everything they need to steal your identity and siphon out your checking account. This type of scam can be harder to avoid because almost everything seems normal. (I guess criminals have figured out we are too smart for the “if it’s too good to be true, it is” scam.) Often the only indication that something is off is the email address of the supposed interviewer. Because they can’t use the exact email domain of the real company, they will try to simulate it. For example, the email address may be @micr0soft.com (notice the zero?) or @microsoft-jobs. com (not a real site).

BE SUSPICIOUS

Don’t let the allure of easy money blind you to the red flags. When in doubt, ask a trusted friend or search the Internet for the supposed company name plus the word “scam.” The Federal Trade Commission can be a good resource for learning more about job-related scams. Scan the code to learn more.

BEN LAKE

Ben is the owner of Open Road Network Services, a Georgetown-based business providing honest, reliable, and affordable technology support to individuals and small businesses. He is particularly passionate about educating and empowering his clients to become more comfortable with technology. • 512-942-7623 • OpenRoad.network