Ann Arbor’s SoloHill Engineering hires 10, most are scientists

SoloHill Engineering took a big step forward at a time when most businesses are focused on regrouping, hiring 10 people in 2009.Most of those hires were scientists, bringing the Ann Arbor-based firm’s staff to 30 employees and the occasional summer intern. That’s up from 20 people the last time we checked in with the company in the fall of 2008.”2009 was a good year so we decided to invest in the future of the company by hiring research scientists,” says David Solomon, chairman and CEO of SoloHill Engineering.The bio-tech company specializes is micro-carrier technology, which means it makes the tools used to produce animal vaccines. The main reason behind its 2009 growth spurt was one of its patents for hogs bred for slaughter came to fruition, drawing the interest and business of drug-maker Wyeth.But there’s a catch to that. Wyeth was acquired by Pfizer last year, which means a corporate shake-up and re-evaluation of its business partners. That means SoloHill Engineering’s 20-year relationship with Wyeth is now back to square one. That has put a hold on further expansion plans for SoloHill Engineering until that situation is worked out.”It’s sort of like a new marriage,” Solomon says. “We’re trying to figure out what they want.”Source: David Solomon, chairman and CEO of SoloHill EngineeringWriter: Jon Zemke