Sapulpa Glass Plant To Close

The Anchor Hocking Company announced Thursday morning it is tentatively planning to close its recently acquired production facility located in Sapulpa.  The company in a news release, says the phased closing of the Sapulpa manufacturing plant is expected to begin in April, with production likely to cease by June 2008.

"We know this presents a hardship for employees, their families and the people of this community," said Mark Eichhorn, president and chief executive officer of Anchor Hocking. "We want to assure everyone affected that this decision-making process was not an easy one, and that this plan to consolidate manufacturing and distribution operations was made after careful consideration of all viable alternatives. We are committed to doing everything possible to provide follow-up services for all affected employees."

The news release says the company plans on consolidating its Oklahoma operations in facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania. 

Anchor Hocking officials met with union reps on Thursday to discuss the decision to close the facility. 

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NEWS RELEASE FROM ANCHOR HOCKING COMPANY:

LANCASTER, Ohio (Jan. 30, 2008) - After a careful review of operations and available capacity, The Anchor Hocking Company is tentatively planning to close its recently acquired production facility located in Sapulpa, Oklahoma and distribution center in Flint, Oklahoma, and consolidate manufacturing and distribution operations in its current Ohio and Pennsylvania locations.

The phased closing of the Sapulpa manufacturing plant is expected to begin in April, with production likely to cease by June 2008. Anchor also anticipates that operations at the Flint distribution center will cease later in the year - possibly by September. The closures affect approximately 425 Anchor Hocking associates.

"We know this presents a hardship for employees, their families and the people of this community," said Mark Eichhorn, president and chief executive officer of Anchor Hocking. "We want to assure everyone affected that this decision-making process was not an easy one, and that this plan to consolidate manufacturing and distribution operations was made after careful consideration of all viable alternatives. We are committed to doing everything possible to provide follow-up services for all affected employees."

Anchor Hocking will reach out to local and state organizations to arrange for job transition assistance for all associates. The company also is encouraging associates to apply for available positions at its facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Anchor Hocking representatives will meet Thursday with bargaining representatives of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (U.S.W.) Local 57 to discuss the planned decision and the impact of that decision for union employees.