O-I is to close its Envigado plant in Colombia and build a new furnace in its Zipaquira site in the same country.
In a letter to employees the world’s largest container glass manufacturer said staff would be offered the opportunity to transfer to the Zipaquira site.
It said: “We want to ensure that our operation in Colombia continues to be competitive, sustainable and renewable for the future.
"As a result, we have made the decision to close the Envigado plant during the second half of 2018 and to construct a new furnace in our Zipaquira plant in Cundinamarca
“This decision will allow us not only to obtain synergies but also to increase the capacity to serve our clients better. The consolidation of our production of containers in Zipaquira, will create important economic, logistical and commercial benefits.”
While most workers will be offered a transfer to Zipaquira, its administrative staff will be transferred to a new location near the current location in Envigado.
The Envigado plant has operated for more than 70 years. O-I said the plant would work to the highest standards of safety, quality, productivity and cost until the last day that the plant operates.
