A Weirton, W.Va., packaging company with about 300 employees will close early next year.

Ball Corp. (NYSE: BLL) confirmed that its flat sheet production and end-making plant in Weirton will close in the first quarter of 2017 as part of a consolidation of the company's North American Food and Household Products Packaging division. The production being done at the Weirton plant will be moved to other Ball plants, the company said.

"While closing a plant is always difficult, this decision will allow us to remain competitive in a changing market and to continue delivering first-class products to our customers," said Ball COO Jim Peterson in a statement released by the company.

The Weirton plant was acquired in 1993 and had been expanded in 2006. It makes lithography and coating for flat-sheet and tin can ends. The employees can apply for other Ball jobs or will qualify for benefits, and Ball said it would have $21 million in severance and shutdown costs mostly in the fourth quarter.
Weirton is about 35 miles from Pittsburgh, just over the border and close to Pittsburgh International Airport.

 

 

Source: bizjournals.com

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