BASF Will Close Ohio Coatings Plant; Joint Venture in Japan Also Announced
ORRVILLE, OH – BASF Corp. announced plans to close its Orrville, OH, coil-coatings manufacturing facility by late this year in a cost-cutting move. The plant is a part of the former Morton industrial-coatings business that was recently acquired by BASF, and manufactures coil coatings for building components, appliances and automotive parts. The facility currently employs approximately 75 people.
Jim Kendall, vice president of BASF’s Industrial Coatings group, said the move is needed “to enhance our cost competitiveness to secure our business’s long-term viability.” He said the company determined it can supply coil coatings to North American customers with one less manufacturing site. BASF’s Industrial Coatings group also operates production facilities in Batavia, IL; Decatur, AL; Colton, CA; and Chicopee, MA. The group is part of BASF’s Coatings and Colorants Division, headquartered in Southfield, MI.