James Hardie closing plants
In its most recent business update, building products manufacturer James Hardie Industries reported several global manufacturing moves including downsizing in some regions.
The company said that the changes are part of its strategy to scale and modernize global operations.
In response to supply and demand in the North American market, James Hardie is closing its manufacturing plant in Summerville, S.C. Additionally, plans for a new plant in Prattville, Ala. have been pushed back until 2022.
In New Zealand, James Hardie said that it will shut down all manufacturing. This includes a facility in Penrose.
Ultimately, New Zealand-based manufacturing operations will be moved to plants in Rosehill and Carole Park, Australia. Sales, marketing, customer service and technical support teams will continue to be based in New Zealand to ensure that the company is able to partner with customers and provide them with service and support.
Other moves include the closing of James Hardie’s formwork business, and its associated plant in Conroy, Australia, by the middle of this year.
James Hardie also announced the temporary closing of a facility in Siglingen, Germany “to better match supply to demand in the short term in Europe.”
Altogether, James Hardie plans to reduce its global workforce by about 375 employees.
“These decisions are always extremely difficult. Our leadership team took this action with considerable thoughtfulness, with the strategic objective of preserving and enhancing the global organization’s competitiveness over the long term,” said James Hardie CEO Jack Truong.
James Hardie will report fourth quarter and year-end 2020 financial results on May 19.
In its business update, James Hardie has forecast net operating profits after taxes to be in the range of $350 million to $355 million.
The company said its projections are based on double-digit volume growth in North American and strong sales in Europe.
The company said that the changes are part of its strategy to scale and modernize global operations.
In response to supply and demand in the North American market, James Hardie is closing its manufacturing plant in Summerville, S.C. Additionally, plans for a new plant in Prattville, Ala. have been pushed back until 2022.
In New Zealand, James Hardie said that it will shut down all manufacturing. This includes a facility in Penrose.
Ultimately, New Zealand-based manufacturing operations will be moved to plants in Rosehill and Carole Park, Australia. Sales, marketing, customer service and technical support teams will continue to be based in New Zealand to ensure that the company is able to partner with customers and provide them with service and support.Other moves include the closing of James Hardie’s formwork business, and its associated plant in Conroy, Australia, by the middle of this year.
James Hardie also announced the temporary closing of a facility in Siglingen, Germany “to better match supply to demand in the short term in Europe.”
Altogether, James Hardie plans to reduce its global workforce by about 375 employees.
“These decisions are always extremely difficult. Our leadership team took this action with considerable thoughtfulness, with the strategic objective of preserving and enhancing the global organization’s competitiveness over the long term,” said James Hardie CEO Jack Truong.
James Hardie will report fourth quarter and year-end 2020 financial results on May 19.
In its business update, James Hardie has forecast net operating profits after taxes to be in the range of $350 million to $355 million.
The company said its projections are based on double-digit volume growth in North American and strong sales in Europe.