Graham Packaging Co. is closing a blow molding plant in Hazle Township, Pa., in a move that will eliminate 84 jobs.
The closing was listed in a WARN notice with the state that was filed earlier this month by Lancaster, Pa.-based Graham. The plant closing will begin in March and be completed by Oct. 31, according to the filing.
Mike King, CEO of Graham Packaging, confirmed the news in an email to Plastics News.
“The decision to close this facility was difficult but necessary as we strive for efficiencies that will allow us to respond to our customers’ growing need for sustainable cost-effective solutions,” King said.
“We anticipate the production will cease in the fourth quarter of this year. We have created approximately 60 new jobs between our Emigsville, Pa., and Farmbrook, Pa., locations and have communicated that to the Hazleton workforce. We wish to retain as many employees as possible through this transition,” King said.
The Hazle Township plant will be the fourth Graham blow molding site to close in less than a year. In September, the firm closed plants in Harrisonburg, Va., and Santa Ana, Calif., eliminating a total of 137 jobs. In October, Graham closed a plant in Holland, Mich., eliminating 42 jobs.
Plastics News ranks Graham as North America's third-largest blow molder, with 66 locations and annual sales of almost $2.1 billion.