A major reusable packaging manufacturer in Osage City is closing its doors. Orbis Corporation announced Friday, March 21st, that it has made the decision to shut down it’s Osage City facility. The 200,000-square-foot plastic manufacturing and warehouse space employs 79 people. In a media release they say the plant closure was decided due to the size, age and configuration of the Osage City plant. The company said modernization and reconfiguration isn’t viable for the warehouse. President of Orbis, Norm Kukuk, says as manufacturing technology has evolved, modernizing the manufacturing fleet is critical to growth and long-term performance. He says they are working with impacted employees to provide support during the transition. Also, 76th District Representative, Brad Barrett, says he is working with state level workforce development resources to help those impacted find new opportunities.
The company is moving its equipment to other plants in the United States and nearby Canada and Mexico. Orbis Corporation says plastic pressing equipment will begin moving out in phases on April 7th and will continue through September of this year.
