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Standard Register To Close Middlebury Plant March 27, 2007

“Asset Realignment” Cited As Reason...112 Employees will lose their jobs

photo by Mike Cameron Standard Register Plant as seen from Route 7, South of Middlebury.

Tuesday January 30, 2007

By Mike Cameron

    Another one of Addison County’s principal employers is closing its plant, ceasing manufacturing operations.  But unlike the closure of Specialty Filaments manufacturing two weeks ago that had left 175-employees jobless from the day of the closure announcement, the Standard Register Plant will have reopened by Sunday, January 28th, 2007 with the 11p.m. to 7a.m. shift. A limited production schedule was slated to be underway at the Middlebury facility as of this edition of The Valley Voice.  The plant will then permanently close its doors on March 27, 2007.

    The Voice was made aware of the decision by Standard Register Officials from an informed source on Friday morning January 26, 2007, shortly after members of the 7a.m. to 3p.m. shift reported to their jobs.  

    At this time all employees were asked to assemble in the company cafeteria and told that “Standard Register continually reviews its manufacturing capabilities with regard to our products and services, market segments and customers we serve.  After careful study of our manufacturing business initiatives, it was determined that changes within our existing operations are required.  This has led to a very difficult decision.

    It is with regret that I inform you that The Standard Register Company will be closing the Middlebury facility, located at 1741 Route 7 South, Middlebury, Vermont 05753.

    The notice contained in this letter is intended to satisfy the requirement of the Federal Workers Adjustment and Retaining Act (WARN).  According to the best information available, the facility will begin lay offs, with the first separation on approximately March 27, 2007.  It is anticipated that you will be permanently laid off on March 27, 2007 or shortly thereafter.  Associates will receive 60 days pay during the WARN Act time period.  No bumping rights exist in this situation.  Standard Register will request the assistance of the State of Vermont in processing unemployment claims.  I understand that this is a difficult time for you.  Confidential counseling is available to you or any household member through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1-800-888-2273.  This service is provided at no charge to you or your family.

    Company employees were read and also given a written copy of the notice signed by Standard Register Middlebury Plant Manager Dave Coughlin.

    Coughlin explained to the Valley Voice during a telephone interview shortly after the employees were notified of the plant closing that, “We will be offering associates an opportunity to bid on open positions at other plants throughout the  company. Our associates here will be given the first opportunity to bid on these positions. We will provide out-placement assistance, along with a severance pay package to those affected.  All of our associates will be back on Sunday, January 28th, 2007 and will continue working until March 27, 2007.  What happens after March 27th has yet to be determined as we continue this realignment process,” he explained.

    The 112 employees at the Middlebury facility are non-union employees.  Standard Register currently owns 34 print and 22 warehouse operations nationwide.

    In subsequent published reports over the weekend Standard Register officials indicated that some of the equipment from the Middlebury facility will be moved to plants in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; York, Pennsylvania and Fayetteville,  Arkansas.  Faster delivery of goods to customers by truck by these downstate locations was given as another reason for the realignment, company officials said.

    Standard Register Corporation has operated the Middlebury, Vermont plant since 1965.  According to company officials the 116,000-square-foot facility is the only plant in the Standard Register System scheduled for closure at this time.

    The stunning announcement came on the heels of the Specialty Filaments shut down earlier in the month, a move that  left 175-employees without jobs.  Another company has expressed an interest in re-opening SFI.  That eventuality is still being negotiated.  Now, as of March 27, 2007, 112 more Addison County jobs will be lost.

    The loss of 229 good paying jobs in Addison County over the past few weeks, caused by two major employers ceasing operations, is certainly a major blow to the economy to the area.  As one long time Middlebury business person told the Voice upon learning of Standard Register’s future plans, “It isn’t just going to effect the people who are losing their jobs, it’s going to effect all of us who live and work here in one way or another.  The quicker we restore these jobs to the region the better off we all are going to be.”

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