Packaging thermoformer Genpak LLC will close a plant in Columbus, Ohio, beginning April 1 and eliminate all 67 jobs by the end of the year.
Genpak, based in Charlotte, N.C., filed notice Jan. 30 with the state of Ohio under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. Layoffs will take place on a rolling basis as operations are phased out and equipment is removed.
The closing will comply with Genpak's collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the company said in the notice.
President Kevin Kelly said by phone the plant is closing because demand has been depressed for its PET products. The plant used to make heat- and cold-resistant bakery and food trays but for the past year and a half has only made the cold-resistant products.
"It's a difficult time for our dedicated people there," he said. "We've had a good workforce for a lot of good years. It's been heartbreaking this week, to have to do this."
Kelly declined to say how much equipment the plant has or what will become of it. When the Columbus plant closes, the company will still have eight U.S. plants and four in Canada.
He also would not comment on the company's current sales, but Plastics News estimated Genpak's 2021 sales at $575 million. The company ranked No. 7 in PN's 2022 ranking of North American thermoformers.
Founded in 1969, Genpak's markets include the foodservice industry, retail and food processing. In addition to the bakery and food trays, the company makes serving bowls, deli containers, cups and takeout trays.
Genpak is one of 20 divisions of Jim Pattison Group of Vancouver, Canada.