Flambeau Inc. is closing a Georgia plant, putting more than 80 people out of work.
It is a move Flambeau called "a strategic action designed to reposition the company's thermoplastic molding operations in North America."
The Baraboo, Wis.-based company said production at its Madison, Ga., location will cease between July 31 and Aug. 13, according to a letter to employees.
"Flambeau truly regrets that these actions are necessary. We deeply appreciate the loyalty of our associates and our foremost concern is to help you find other employment," CEO Randall Loga said in the letter.
"We will be providing various means of assistance through applicable government agencies and other organizations to all of our associates to help with the transition process."
Flambeau said the company "will be transferring the operations" now taking place in Madison to other plants.
The company, after being contacted for comment, also issued a news release June 18 with additional details regarding the decision. In it, Flambeau put the job loss at approximately 85 workers. An earlier May 30 letter to employees announcing the closure indicated the job loss would be 89.
Production in Georgia involves plastic parts and products largely for the fluids, industrial and retail markets, the company said.
"While closing a facility is accompanied by some unpleasant effects, the strategic closure of our Madison plant strengthens Flambeau's vital economic position in the plastics industry," Loga said in the release. "To the advantage of our customers, the closure leverages Flambeau's extensive capabilities and assets, and creates logistical advantages."
Workers will receive health, dental and vision coverage until the end of the month of their termination, the company said, and then will be able to continue through COBRA coverage.
The Georgia location is 150,000 square feet and includes 12 injection molding presses measuring from 70 to 1,500 tons of clamping pressure and 11 blow molding presses, according to the company's website.
Other Flambeau locations are in Auburn Hills, Mich.; Baraboo; Columbus, Ind.; Middlefield and Wadsworth, Ohio; Phoenix; Ramsgate, England; Saltillo, Mexico; and Shenzhen, China.
Products now made in Madison will be moved to other North American sites, including the Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Mexico facilities, the company said.
Flambeau is part of the Nordic Group of Companies Ltd., of Baraboo, which also includes Duncan Toys Co., the famed maker of yo-yos and other children's toys.
Flambeau makes a wide variety of blow molded and injection molded products. This diversity means the firm is ranked in the 100 largest companies for blow molding, injection molding and mold making in North America by Plastics News.
The latest injection molding rankings, just published, has Flambeau as No. 64 with estimated 2023 molding sales of $165 million. For blow molding, the ranking is No. 21 with estimated sales of $155 million in 2022. And for mold making, Flambeau checks in at No. 53 with estimated sales of $10 million in 2022. Updated blow molding and mold making rankings based on 2023 sales will be published later this year.
"We move forward with a strong and growing business in the United States and Mexico, serving a wide range of customers and industries across the footprint of Flambeau," Loga said in the release.