Essroc: Less demand may idle plant

STAFF REPORT

BESSEMER, Pa. — Workers at Ess- roc’s cement plant here have been warned the plant may be idled because of decreased demand.

About 110 workers would be laid off if the plant is closed temporarily, said Marco Barbesta, director of communications for Essroc North America.

Workers were told Thursday that Essroc is conducting a market analysis to see if the move needs to be taken, he said. The review includes speaking with all customers about their expected demand and reviewing all products.

“We’re trying to be as open as possible,” Barbesta said.

He didn’t estimate when the review would be complete but said the idling could happen soon if that is determined to be the appropriate step.

He said demand for cement is down considerably as the nation’s economy lingers in a recession. He didn’t want to be more specific.

The Bessemer plant supplies customers in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

Barbesta said he didn’t know if other Essroc plants were being warned about possible idling. The company has four additional plants, in Pennsylvania, Indiana and West Virginia, as well as plants in Canada and Puerto Rico.

In December, Essroc shut down a plant in Frederick, Md., and moved that production to its West Virginia plant.

The company’s North American operations are based in Nazareth, Pa., but it is a subsidiary of Italcementi Group, an Italian company.