South Carolina-based aluminum scrap consumer JW Aluminum says it will be closing its rolling mill in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, by Jan. 29, 2021.
“The aerospace industry was immediately and severely impacted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Stan Brant, Jr., CEO of JW Aluminum. “This abrupt contraction is negatively affecting participants throughout the supply chain. Historically, aerospace-related products have accounted for more than 50 percent of the total production at the Williamsport facility.”
The company has invested to expand its facility in Goose Creek, South Carolina, but also closed a facility in St. Louis earlier in 2020.
The Williamsport closing would affect 65 JW Aluminum employees. “Our focus now is to provide a safe and successful transition for our teammates in Williamsport as we continue operations at our facilities in South Carolina and Arkansas to supply American-made flat rolled aluminum for our core markets, the building products, commercial and recreational transportation and HVAC/R [heating, ventilations air conditioning and refrigeration] sectors,” says Brant.
JW Aluminum says it has been contacted by and is pursuing buyers regarding a potential sale of the facility in Williamsport.