Royal Building Products shutters Tennessee PVC pipe plant

Canada-based plastic pipe maker Royal Building Products has shuttered its PVC pipe plant in Newbern, Tenn.

As reported in the Tennessee State Gazette, Woodbridge, Ont.-based Royal Building Products began a permanent closure of the plant on Oct. 17, with the intention to have all workers gone by the end of April 2017.

“We are saddened to learn of the closing of Royal Building Products,” Newbern mayor Olen Parker said in a statement. “Royal Building Products has been a good partner to our community for many years and will be missed.”

As reported in the Tennessee State Gazette, the closure is being blamed on excess capacity in the pipe business and the Newbern operation’s close proximity to other affiliated plants.

In 2013, Royal Building Products converted the Newbern operation to PVC pipe from vinyl siding production; in 2014, the company invested $24 million to expand PVC pipe production in the plant.

Royal Building Products is part Woodbridge, Ont.-based Royal Group Inc.