DARLINGTON,S.C. _ Darlington County Economic Partnership Director Robert Long said last week's announced closing of the Graham Packaging Plant on Jan. 23 did not come as a complete surprise.
Long said company officials shut down the plant as a part of its restructuring process.
“The were located on the same campus as Wellman Inc.’s Palmetto Plant and leased their building from Wellman,” said Long. “When Wellman closed the Palmetto Plant in November of 2008, it made things much more difficult economically for Graham Packaging. Their transportation costs went up and it became evident to Graham officials that it would be a lot cheaper to go somewhere else. It was strictly an economic decision on their part.”
Long said the land is presently under a long-term lease from Darlington Development LLC, a subsidiary of International Process Plants, that was purchased from the former Wellman property out of bankruptcy. The building, however, is owned by a subsidiary of Segars Development in Hartsville that leases the facility to Graham Packaging.
He said the closure will affect 20 employees.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those workers and their families, particularly during the holiday season,” said Long.
Graham Packaging makes plastic containers for beverage and food products. The company employs a team of more than 8,200 individuals, with 97 plants in 15 countries across North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Phone messages to Graham Packaging’s corporate offices in York, Pa., Tuesday morning were not returned.
The company’s Darlington County plant first opened in 1999 and initially hired 50 people.
Long said he is presently working to get the building listed as soon as possible.
“It is a very marketable building in a very good location,” Long said. “We’re hoping it won’t take long before it starts drawing some interest.”
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