Broomfield's Ball Corp. To Close West Virginia Plant

WEIRTON, W.Va. (AP) - Metal packaging company Ball Corp. says it is closing a northern West Virginia facility, idling about 300 employees.

The Broomfield, Colorado-based company said in a news release Wednesday that it will transfer production from the plant in Weirton to other Ball facilities by early next year.

The company says it will offer its workers in Weirton the opportunity to apply for other positions within the company.

Ball Chief Operating Officer Jim Peterson says the decision is part of a move to locate production facilities near the company's customers and suppliers.

Ball acquired the Weirton plant in 1993 and expanded it in 2006. The plant makes coated sheets and ends for cans.

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