Muller Martini Closing Virginia Plants by Next January

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Muller Martini has informed 160 employees of its two Oyster Point production plants that they will close by the end of January 2012, the Newport News Daily Press reported. Muller attributed the move to a sharp decline in business, the newspaper said.

The employee reductions will begin in July and take place in three phases. Citing an announcement from Muller Martini, the Daily Press said that the manufacturer of printing, binding and finishing solutions is exploring local business opportunities with the hopes of re-hiring some of the impacted employees.

The company laid off 79 workers in May of 2009.

The initial Newport News plant was the first built by Muller Martini after it expanded to the United States. A second plant was later built, and the two facilities provided nearly 300,000 square feet of operating space.