Omnova Solutions is upgrading its Mogadore plant and shifting production from its Akron facility to give it greater polymer manufacturing flexibility.
When the 20-month project is complete, Fairlawn-based Omnova said it expects to save about $4 million per year in lower operating costs while also enhancing product offerings.
The $1.1 billion polymer, specialty chemicals and decorative surfaces company said the project revolves around repurposing its excess styrene butadiene latex capacity. Omnova is not disclosing the cost of the project but said it will take accounting charges over time.
Production of styrene acrylic and other specialty emulsion polymers at the company’s nearby Akron factory will be shifted to the soon-to-be upgraded and more efficient Mogadore plant. The Akron factory will continue to make so-called dry polymers used for such things as coatings and in oil and gas drilling.
“The Akron plant will remain a finishing facility, dedicated to dry polymer manufacturing and packaging to serve growing customer demand around the world,” the company said in a news release. The company spent $4 million over the past four years to upgrade the Akron facility with drying and robotic packaging systems.
The Mogadore plant will be getting new equipment and storage on top of a $2 million investment in 2009 for an advanced process control system.
When the upgrade is finished, the Mogadore plant will have the most diverse range of capabilities in Omnova’s Performance Chemicals division.
Omnova said it expects a net reduction of 15 to 20 jobs between the Akron and Mogadore facilities once the project is complete, with the reduction “addressed through normal attrition.” Some jobs will be shifted from the Akron plant, which currently has about 50 employees, to Mogadore, which currently has about 80 people.
Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com