A major blow molder is closing a plant in Hazelwood, Mo.
Amcor Rigid Packaging USA LLC filed a layoff notice with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development on March 19. The notice said the job cuts would affect 105 workers, with layoffs starting June 17 and continuing through Aug. 31, after which the facility will be closed.
A company spokeswoman said the closing was not related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"As part of a multi-year strategy launched in our Rigid Packaging business in 2018, we've selectively shifted production across the network to optimize our footprint and service to customers," Kristin Kelley, global head of communications for Amcor Rigid Packaging USA, said in a statement to Plastics News.
"In that context, we announced last week our plans to consolidate production from our Hazelwood, Mo., facility to other plants in our system. Employees in Hazelwood will have the opportunity to transfer within the Amcor network or receive severance and outplacement services to help with this transition," she said.
The Hazelwood plant supports Amcor Rigid Packaging's food segment. Kelley said it was an isolated closure.
Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Amcor Rigid Packaging is the No. 1 blow molder in North America, according to Plastics News data, with an estimated $2.34 billion in blow molding sales in the region. The company has 37 blow molding plants in North America, and is part of Melbourne, Australia-based Amcor Ltd.