Wellman Inc., Fort Mill, S.C., plans
to restructure its US fiber operations in an effort to improve its operating results, and reduce
overall debt and working capital. As a result, the company will close its fiber production
operations in Johnsonville, S.C., and consolidate all US fiber production at its Darlington,
S.C.-based Palmetto plant, which has an annual polyester fiber production capacity of 500 million
pounds. Wellman also plans to sell its Material Recycling Division, a converter of post-consumer
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and production equipment for its specialty coarse-denier
Wellstrand® fiber. The restructuring will result in the loss of some 300 jobs out of a total 550
positions in Johnsonville, according to Wellman spokesman Michael Bermish, who said the company
will continue to produce nylon engineering resins in Johnsonville. The restructuring is expected to
be complete by the end of 2006.
to restructure its US fiber operations in an effort to improve its operating results, and reduce
overall debt and working capital. As a result, the company will close its fiber production
operations in Johnsonville, S.C., and consolidate all US fiber production at its Darlington,
S.C.-based Palmetto plant, which has an annual polyester fiber production capacity of 500 million
pounds. Wellman also plans to sell its Material Recycling Division, a converter of post-consumer
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and production equipment for its specialty coarse-denier
Wellstrand® fiber. The restructuring will result in the loss of some 300 jobs out of a total 550
positions in Johnsonville, according to Wellman spokesman Michael Bermish, who said the company
will continue to produce nylon engineering resins in Johnsonville. The restructuring is expected to
be complete by the end of 2006.
“We will be able to operate one fiber facility at close to full capacity rather than
operating two underutilized facilities,” said Thomas M. Duff, chairman and CEO. “This will allow us
to lower our overall costs and remain more competitive in our domestic fiber operations.”
November/December 2006
