PaperAge Magazine

Valmet to Close Foundry and Workshop in Hudson Falls, New York

Hudson Falls foundry - dryer cylinders Built in 1858, the Hudson Falls foundry and workshop has supplied the pulp and paper industry with manufactured cast iron dryer heads and cylinders.

Dec. 6, 2019 (Press Release) - Valmet will proceed with plans for a phased closure of foundry, machine shop and assembly operations at its production center in Hudson Falls, New York, USA. The first phased closure will begin in March 2020 and continue until final customer orders are fulfilled in summer 2020.

Approximately 15 employees will transfer to a new product office in nearby Glens Falls, New York to continue to serve customers in North America for the dryer product line and aftersales. A total of 40 positions will end as a result of the closure. Valmet is working hard to support all impacted employees so that they are well positioned for the next stage of their careers. Affected employees will be offered career guidance, severance to help them through the transition and are encouraged to apply for job openings in other parts of the company.

The decision to close the facility is the result of various market factors including a steady, declining demand for the cast iron dryer products manufactured within the capacity of the Hudson Falls facility.

Built in 1858, the Hudson Falls foundry and workshop has supplied the pulp and paper industry with manufactured cast iron dryer heads and cylinders. In 1997 GL&V took ownership of the site, soon becoming the product center for drying technologies related to the legacy brands of Sandy HillTM and Black-Clawson Kennedy. The site became to Valmet's ownership as part of the GL&V acquisition in April 2019.

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. To learn more, please visit: www.valmet.com

SOURCE: Valmet