SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) — A glass manufacturing plant in Sapulpa plans to close by June, eliminating more than 400 jobs.
Officials with Anchor Hocking Co. announced Thursday that it plans to close the recently acquired plant, which specializes in table wear.
A spokesman for the Lancaster, Ohio-based company says the plan is to consolidate all of its manufacturing and distribution operations to facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Spokesman Dace de la Foret says about 425 workers in Sapulpa will be affected, including about 50 at a distribution center.
He says the closing of the plant will be done in two phases beginning in April. Production is expected to cease by June.
Workers will have the opportunity to relocate to other Anchor Hocking plants and distribution centers.
''We know this presents a hardship for employees, their families and the people of this community,'' Mark Eichhorn, president and CEO of Anchor Hocking, said in a statement. ''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.''
Betty Calley, executive director of the Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce, said upper management at the Sapulpa plant might be interested in relocating to other facilities, but that the majority of production workers will probably want to remain in the area.
She said she was uncertain of the economic impact of layoffs, but local officials are prepared to help workers who want to remain in the community.
''Anchor Hocking is going to allow the city and the chamber to help people affected by the layoffs to get located back in the work force,'' Calley said. ''That's our goal -- get them working in Sapulpa.''
The plant dates back to 1914. It was founded by H.U. Bartlett and George F. Collins, according to information provided by the chamber.
Through the years, the plant was mostly known as Bartlett-Collins Co. In recent years, it has had several different owners, with Anchor Hocking purchasing the facility in November.
