ALP Lighting Components has sold its thermoforming business to RLR Industries Inc. for an undisclosed price.
In a Feb. 19 news release, officials with ALP in Niles, Ill., said that the sale supports the firm's manufacturing focus on injection molding, compression molding and metal fabrication.
ALP's plant in Olive Branch, Miss., will close as a result of the sale. The 68-employee Mississippi plant will close by mid-year. Profile extrusion equipment operated by ALP at the 127,000 square-foot site will be moved to a plant in Monterrey, Mexico. ALP had acquired the Mississippi plant in 2007.
The deal with Mableton, Ga.-based RLR comes less than three months after ALP sold its extrusion business to Plaskolite LLC of Columbus, Ohio.
ALP officials said that once the sale to RLR closes, “no further business changes or sales are being contemplated.” ALP has worked closely with RLR for decades, they said.
“We have always had a close personal relationship with RLR and the utmost respect for their manufacturing capabilities,” CEO Steve Brown said. “We are pleased to be once again formally aligned with this outstanding organization and team.”
RLR officials added that they “are excited for the new product development potential that we can offer the lighting OEM industry with this transaction.” A transition plan for sales and operations is in place to ensure a smooth transfer for ALP customers.
ALP previously announced plans to invest in its injection molding plants in Dickson, Tenn., and Charlevoix, Mich., in 2019. Officials said those expansions are being done to serve the lighting market.
They added that ALP's LexaLite brand will place a new focus on proprietary edgelit panels and a line of silicone TIR optics for a range of applications. ALP is also adding additional large steel stamping equipment for its metal products area.
