USA: Fredonia cement plant to close its doors

USA: Fredonia cement plant to close its doors
20 October 2011


After more than 100 years in operation a Fredonia cement plant in Kasnsas, USA announces it’s closing.  In March Lafarge Cement plant will close its doors for good. The plant has 73 employees.

Mark Metcalf has been the environmental coordinator for the plant for the last three years.  He and the other employees can apply for positions at other Lafarge plants, but there are not enough open jobs to place all the Fredonia plant workers.

"Right now I don’t think it has really sunk in too much but it will when time comes around, it’s just one of those things that happen when the economy is like this," says Metcalf.  "I had it happen to me when I was in Independence. That plant was there for over 100 years. I was there for 20 years and they closed it, came here and the same thing happened... I’m open to a lot of possibilities. I’ll probably have to leave the area."

Plant manager Sean Brennan says long time workers will receive pensions. Nearly half of the employees have worked at the plant for over 30 years.

"We are a major employer in the city of Fredonia and this will have a significant impact on the community – it’s sad for the community, it’s sad for our employees and we are trying to help with that process," says Brennan. 

"It’s like a big family out here so I’m sure we’ll stay in touch," says Metcalf.
The Lafarge cement plant opened in July 1907.
Published under Cement News