Corporate officials confirmed Monday that Nordson will be closing its manufacturing plant in Dawson County next year.

"We are restructuring operations in the state of Georgia," said Jim Jaye, director of corporate communications and investor relations.

The manufacturer's 53 local employees and nearly 70 employees at the Norcross location have been offered transfers to Nordson's plant in John's Creek or its Swainsboro facility.

Those who are unable to relocate will receive severance packages, Jaye said.

The restructuring is part of the Ohio-based manufacturer's plan to provide efficiency and to serve a more global market, according to Jaye.

"We've certainly had a very good relationship with the Dawsonville community. This is merely a business decision and has nothing to do with our experience in Dawsonville," Jaye said.

The local division manufactures specialized machinery for applying adhesives to products such as tapes and elastic diapers.

Jaye said the plant closing is currently scheduled for mid to late 2012.

Charlie Auvermann, executive director of the Development Authority of Dawson County, said Oerlikon Neumag, a division of DuPont is currently leasing a part of Nordson's Dawsonville plant.

"We're waiting to see if Neumag is going to lease the rest of the building," he said.