The Nordson Corporation plant will soon be shutting its doors in Dawsonville, corporate officials said Tuesday.
The first round of layoffs will begin at the local adhesive dispenser plant within the next few months, said Nordson spokesman Jim Jaye, speaking from the companys Ohio headquarters.
After 13 years of business in Dawsonville, the plant will close for good in mid 2012.
Though the manufacturing facility currently employs a local workforce of 50, not all these jobs will be lost, said Jaye.
I dont have a final number, he said. But a number of them will be relocated to our Johns Creek and Swainsboro plants.
Its all part of a restructuring of the Nordson plants within the state, he added.
Were going from four to two, said Jaye. Norcross and Dawsonville are being closed.
The Norcross branch of Nordson, and its staff of 70, is currently facing the same fate since some, but not all, of the workers will be transfered as well.
Charlie Auvermann, executive director of the Development Authority of Dawson County, said the plants presence will definitely be missed locally.
Theyve been a very good corporate citizen as far as local charities and local initiatives that theyve participated in, he said. So were very sad to see them go.
Jaye said officials at Nordson began quietly informing employees of the looming layoffs during the early summer months.
I would add that its not anything that our management team takes lightly when dealing with these kinds of situations, he said. Its a decision thats difficult, but we think for the long term its for the best.
Meanwhile, Auvermann said questions still remain about what will become of the Nordson building, which is located just off Highway 400.
Half of the facility is currently occupied by a division of DuPont manufacturing.
Weve asked them on a couple of occasions what the intentionis for the building, because its leased to a another company, Auvermann said.
Jaye said that the company is currently working out a lease agreement with the business.
Right now were still negotiating, he said. So there nothing final at this time.