March 6, 2013
Aleris Shutters Roxboro, Starts Up Asheville Coating Line
Aleris Corp., Cleveland, has started up a new $21 million wide aluminum sheet coating operation in Asheville, Ohio. The new line is expected to increase production capabilities in the company's commercial trailer and business and construction markets. The new capacity also will enable the company to bring more volumes in house rather than employ outside toll coaters.
The new line clears the way for Aleris to shut down operations at its Roxboro, N.C., facility. The Roxboro plant housed two slitters and two coating lines, manned by 60 employees.
During his company's year-end conference call, Aleris Chairman and CEO Steve Demetriou called the decision, "a difficult but necessary step to take full advantage of the additional wide capacity in Asheville, and also further reduce our coating cost structure."
According to published reports, the first layoffs are expected in April, with full plant closure by the end of May.