The W.R. Grace plant in Albany on Aug. 8, 2023.
This past summer, I tried to confirm a rumor that W.R. Grace planned to close its Albany chemical plant, but the company would not reply. Now the rumor has been confirmed.
The Oregonian reported Wednesday that the company had notified Oregon state officials of the planned shutdown. The plant will close at the end of December, and 95 jobs will be lost.
W.R. Grace ooperates worldwide. The company headquarters is in Columbia, Md.
Some time ago I heard that employees were told of the impending closure, and that production would cease on Dec. 31. The company ignored questions about this, and I was reluctant to publish the news based on the say-so of one person I did not personally know.
Oregon law requires that “a covered employer must give notice if an employment site (or one or more facilities or operating units within an employment site) will be shut down and the shutdown will result in an employment loss for 50 or more employees during any 30-day period,” according to an online summary of the statute.
I took the photo above, showing the plant at 1290 Industrial Way, on a bike ride in August after I had heard from someone about the closure.
On Sept. 14, 2010, the Democrat-Herald reported that W.R. Grace and Synthetech, of Albany, had reached an ageement for Grace to buy the Albany company for $19.2 million. The sale was expected to close before the end of that year.
The Albany plant made chemical components for a variety of products. The plant’s website lists its “core products and capabilities” including peptides, amino acids, dietary ingredients, pharmaceutical items, and “analytical method development and validation.”
There was no word on what if anything happens to the plant once it is closed. (hh)
Well, as Albany collapses around us, we will have the Obie developments on the waterfront!!! I hope people “rushing to the waterfront” can navigate the potholes in the roads that take them there.
I remember in the late 1970’s when Verson Pandian started what was then Pacific Chemical, the precursor to all that is there currently.
Fascinating tours there. I likened it to your local “compound pharnacy” – on steroids…
Indeed!
Ray,
You concistently are supportive of business and the workers. Thank you for this.
Tough to lose 95 jobs. I wonder where the operations are transferring to?
Oregon’s policies are driving businesses to go to other states where the business climate is more favorable. What did ya expect with progressive/liberal policy maker’s decisions? Is this really what’s best for Oregonians and for Oregon in general?
You wrote: “Oregon’s policies are driving businesses to go to other states where the business climate is more favorable.”
You offer NO support for your claim. Consequently, your claim will be granted the credibility it so richly deserves.
Maybe read the article? You can hardly call that “NO SUPPORT”.
Who is posting this comment? Your name is not disclosing.
Perhaps it the unfriendly business climate you are referring to is the CAT passed by Oregon’s legislators….. Many businesses are leaving Oregon due to this additional tax…
“A person will be deemed to have taxable nexus with Oregon for purposes of the CAT if they have property in Oregon with an original cost greater than $50,000, payroll in Oregon of greater than $50,000, their commercial activity in Oregon is greater than $750,000, if 25% of their property, payroll, or commercial activity occurs in Oregon; or they are a “resident” of Oregon or are domiciled in Oregon for corporate, commercial, or other business purposes. ” source: https://law.uoregon.edu/deep-dive-oregon-corporate-activities-tax
Was there a WARN Act filing? Was 95 33% of the employees?