Some plastics firms that found themselves in the path of a massive storm system that passed through the Southern and Midwest of the U.S. are restoring power and repairing damage.
So far, companies contacted by Plastics News said they had no major damage from the storms on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, but power shortages have led to unplanned outages.
Protective packaging and film maker Pregis LLC said a company facility in Kentucky was spared during the tornado outbreak.
"We were extremely fortunate that our Hopkinsville, Ky., facility only sustained minor damage, with no impact to production. More importantly, we are truly grateful that all of our employees are safe," said Chief Marketing Officer Dache Davidson in a statement Dec. 13.
"Our thoughts go out to those families and businesses which have been negatively impacted," she said.
Hopkinsville, located about 60 miles west of Bowling Green, Ky., saw damage to an apartment complex that displaced about 170 residents. About 20 other homes damaged or destroyed. There were a handful of injuries as well, according to local news reports.
Houston-based Westlake Chemical said a tornado passed about 5 miles south of the company's PVC resin and compounding plant in Calvert City, Ky.
"While the plant was not damaged, it lost all electrical power, which has impacted near-term plant operations," Westlake said in an email. "Westlake has accounted for its employees who are safe from the storm, although some suffered damages to their homes."
In Bowling Green, damage to General Motors Co.'s Corvette assembly plant has forced the site to temporarily close. Suppliers in the region also reported damage, including Magna International Inc. The Aurora, Ontario-based auto supplier said it had only minor damage.
"No employees were injured at the facility, which remains without power," Tracy Fuerst, vice president of corporate communications at Magna told Plastics News in an emailed statement. "We are staying in close communications with our customers and working with local authorities to restore power and production when possible. Our hearts are with all those affected."
Plastics processor Berry Global Group Inc. also reported no company facilities were damaged, although it has multiple locations in the region.
“On December 10, heavy storms and tornadoes occurred along a 200-mile path in the United States’ Midwest and South regions, including areas where Berry has facilities and many of our team members call home,” Berry said in a Dec. 13 statement.
“We are not aware of any team members who were seriously injured or of loss of life. Additionally, no Berry facility was damaged. The company’s thoughts are with residents of the communities impacted by this terrible tragedy,” the Evansville, Ind.-based company said.
Plastics News reporters Frank Esposito and Sarah Kominek contributed to this report.