Closure Announcement: O-I Shuts Down Waco, USA Glass Manufacturing Plant

by GlassBalkan
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O-I Announces Closure of Glass Bottle Manufacturing Plant in Waco, Texas, USA

Waco, Texas, USA – In a recent development, Owens-Illinois, Inc. (O-I) has disclosed plans to cease operations at its glass bottle manufacturing plant located in Waco, Texas. The manufacturing facility is set to halt production activities on October 16th, with a complete closure scheduled for December. The fate of the plant’s employees regarding potential opportunities at other O-I facilities remains uncertain.

A Legacy in Glass: Serving the Waco Community Since 1944

Jim Woods, the spokesperson for O-I, expressed the company’s historical connection with the Waco community, where it has been actively engaged in the production of sustainable glass packaging for the beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverage markets since 1944.

Woods stated, “O-I Glass has been a proud member of the Waco community, producing sustainable glass packaging for the beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverage markets since 1944. O-I continuously evaluates the long-term needs of the business and the viability of the assets at each manufacturing facility to best serve our critical customer base. As such, a decision has been made to close the Waco facility.”

Supporting Transition for Affected Employees

O-I has been proactive in addressing the impact of this decision on its workforce. Jim Woods revealed that discussions have taken place with team members and union officials to communicate the decision and to explore the transitional support available through both the company and government agencies within the State of Texas.

Challenges Faced in Recent Years

This closure announcement follows a challenging period for the Waco O-I Glass plant. In February 2023, the facility encountered the layoff of 90 employees as part of a workforce restructuring effort. Company officials attributed this restructuring to furnace damage incurred during the February 2021 freeze.

GLASS4GOOD™ Initiative

In January 2023, O-I initiated the GLASS4GOOD™ program in Waco, in collaboration with Keep Waco Beautiful, the City of Waco, and Pernod Ricard. This program was designed to enhance glass recycling accessibility within the community. As of now, the future of this glass recycling initiative remains undisclosed.

This decision marks a significant development in O-I’s ongoing business operations and its commitment to serving its customers effectively. The company will continue to assess and adapt its manufacturing facilities to meet evolving needs and market demands.

Source: O-I  with additional information added by GlassBalkan

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