US industrial packaging manufacturer Greif (Delaware, Ohio; www.greif.com) has announced additional steps in the realignment of its global Rigid Industrial Packaging and Services business units. Citing the need to reduce fixed manufacturing costs and at the same time better align its portfolio with market trends and customer requirements, the company announced that its steel drum production in Fenton, Missouri / USA will be consolidated into its Chicago operations, while the Harahan, Louisiana-based steel drum production will be consolidated into two existing sites in Houston, Texas.

The measures will not be limited to the US alone. In Europe, Greif plans to consolidate its IBC and PE drum manufacturing operations in Hanweiler / Germany to its other site in Hückelhoven and move its reconditioning operations located in Mendig / Germany to Rumbeke / Belgium. “The consolidations ensure we are operating the right number of plants and production lines in the right locations to meet current and future customer needs,” the company’s chief operating officer Pete Watson said. Greif said it will assist the employees affected by the decision – a final number of which was not announced.