Worthington Industries recently announced that it will begin implementing a consolidation plan at five of its Dietrich Metal Framing locations impacting approximately 165 employees.

“Today’s action is a result of our focus on asset utilization to ensure that our businesses are maximizing profitability,” said John P. McConnell, Chairman and CEO of Worthington Industries. “Although the consolidation will reduce Dietrich’s footprint, we have chosen locations in close proximity to other Dietrich facilities to maintain our customer service. We continue to have the largest reach to markets through our national distribution network.”

The company expects the consolidation plan to result in $9 million in annual savings and be fully implemented by the end of the year. One time restructuring charges, estimated to be $15 million in the aggregate for the five facilities, will be incurred over the next few quarters until the plan is completed.

The facilities included in the consolidation plan are: East Chicago, Ind.; Rock Hill, S.C.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Wildwood, Fla.; and the downsizing of operations in Montreal, Canada. The Rock Hill facility also houses a Worthington steel processing operation, which will continue to operate.

Annual net sales generated by these operations total approximately $125 million and the majority of those sales are expected to be handled by nearby Dietrich locations.

Dietrich Metal Framing, founded in 1959, is the largest manufacturer of steel framing products in the United States. Dietrich’s 2,000 employees in 26 facilities, use state of the art equipment and in-house metallurgic labs to ensure superior product performances and competitive prices.

Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metal processing company with annual sales of approximately $3 billion. The Columbus, Ohio, based company is North America’s premier value-added steel processor and a leader in manufactured metal products such as metal framing, metal ceiling grid systems, pressure cylinders, automotive past model service stampings and laser welded blanks. The company employs more than 8,000 people and operates 67 facilities in 10 countries.

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