Griffco Plastics Inc. is working to secure a partnership or loan to save its PVC pipe extrusion business.
Vice President Charles Griffin, reached by telephone Sept. 6, said his family-owned business still is operating despite wide speculation in the pipe industry that it had shut down completely.
``It will be another two to three weeks before we could even speculate on anything,'' he said. He would not comment further on the current state of the business.
But officials from the Atlanta-based PVC pipe maker told county officials they currently are running one line at the plant and working to save the business they have operated in that city for more than 20 years. Options include forming a partnership or securing a loan.
``We're hoping they get something worked out,'' said Paul Mosley, president of the Clarke County Board of Supervisors. ``They indicated they would have something worked out in a couple of weeks.''
The plant has 50 employees and 17 extrusion lines. Until 2000, the firm operated another facility in Selma, Ala.
``I know they've laid off some, but I don't know how many, `` Mosley said.
Company officials told Mosley they were having trouble getting resin. The firm makes pipe for several end markets, including plumbing, municipal water and sewer, irrigation and telecommunications.