Valmet is proceeding with plans for a phased closure of foundry, machine shop and assembly operations at its production center in Hudson Falls.
The first phased closure will begin in March and continue until final customer orders are fulfilled in summer 2020.
Approximately 15 employees will transfer to a new product office in nearby Glens Falls, to continue to serve customers in North America for the dryer product line and after-sales.
The company said a total of 40 positions will end as a result of the closure.
“It’s disappointing,” said Ed Bartholomew, president and CEO of EDC Warren County. “But these decisions are made at a much higher level than Hudson Falls.”
In a news release, the company said it is working hard to support all impacted employees so that they are well positioned for the next stage of their careers. Affected employees will be offered career guidance, severance to help them through the transition and are encouraged to apply for job openings in other parts of the company.
The decision to close the facility is the result of various market factors including a steady, declining demand for the cast iron dryer products manufactured within the capacity of the Hudson Falls facility, officials said.
Bartholomew EDC Warren County, in addition to the state Department of Labor, will try to assist the displaced workers. “We will reach out to other employers in the area that need skill sets similar to those that these workers have.”
He cited as an example the closing of Web Graphics in Queensbury. EDC was able, with the permission of the company, to hold job fairs on site, where other employers went into Web Graphics to meet with workers.
He said there will be job fairs held to help Valmet workers.
Built in 1858, the Hudson Falls foundry and workshop at 27 Allen St. has supplied the pulp and paper industry with manufactured cast iron dryer heads and cylinders. In 1997, GL&V took ownership of the site.
The site became to Valmet’s ownership as part of the GL&V acquisition in April 2019.
Valmet is a global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. Its technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production.
