Owens-Illinois Inc. announced September 1 that as a result of the ongoing review of its global manufacturing footprint, the company intends to close its glass container plant in Castel Maggiore, Italy, after concluding a process of consultation with the local union representatives, which is anticipated prior to the end of 2008. Production will be transferred to other O-I facilities, including plants in Italy.
"The decision to close this facility was driven by our ongoing global asset utilization process which identified the opportunity to shift our production to other European facilities resulting in lower energy consumption and production costs while still meeting current and anticipated market needs," said Jean-Marc Arrambourg, president, O-I Europe.
Approximately 100 people will be affected and O-I will offer positions in other Italian plants to all affected employees.
Established in 1903, the company employs more than 24,000 people with 82 manufacturing facilities in 22 countries. In 2007, net sales were $7.6 billion.