Stamford-based Silgan Holdings closes two Midwest manufacturing facilities

Silgan Holdings Inc., a Stamford-headquartered supplier of rigid packaging for consumer goods products, has announced the closing of its metal container manufacturing plants in Mount Vernon, Missouri and Waupun, Wisconsin.

The company, which operated 100 manufacturing plants around the world, is planning to conclude operations at the two facilities during the fourth quarter. Silgan stated that the closed facilities will be absorbed in existing facilities and in a new plant to be leased at an undetermined location in the Midwest.

The plant closings follow last month”™s ratification of a labor agreement at its metal container manufacturing site in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. That agreement provides for Silgan”™s withdrawal from the Central States Pension Fund for that facility and, by extension, the company”™s complete withdrawal from the Central States Pension Fund.

“Decisions regarding footprint optimization plans are always difficult, and we want to thank our dedicated employees at both facilities for their long service and their anticipated efforts during this transition,” said Adam Greenlee, president and COO of Silgan. “At Silgan, these decisions are driven by a relentless pursuit to lower our overall cost structure, improve operating efficiencies and enhance our leading competitive position in our metal container business. Separately, we believe that withdrawing from the Central States Pension Fund and providing our Menomonee Falls employees with a company sponsored benefit plan is a better long-term solution.”

Founded in 1987 by Phil Silver and Greg Horrigan, the company manufactures metal, composite and plastic closures for food and beverage products, such as juices and juice drinks, ready-to-drink teas, sports and energy drinks, dairy products, ketchup, salsa, pickles, tomato sauce, soup, cooking sauces, gravies, fruits, vegetables, preserves, baby food, baby juices and infant formula products.

Its customers include Bayer AG, Campbell Soup Co., ConAgra Foods, Del Monte Corp., Henkel AG, Nestlé Group, PepsiCo Inc. and The Coca-Cola Co.