Nestlé Purina said it will sell its can-making operations and close its Weirton facility, leaving 76 people without jobs.

According to a news release from the company, Nestle Purina is selling its steel can assets to California-based Silgan Containers. The decision will resulted in the closure of Nestlé Purina’s facility in Weirton.

“This is a difficult decision for our Company and is not at all a reflection of the performance by our employees,” said Stanley Dulemba, Weirton factory manager. “It’s a business decision based on economics, logistics, and a lengthy analysis. We are committed to making this as smooth a transition as possible for our Weirton associates.”

The company expects completion of the sale and transition of the business to Silgan to be completed by Sept. 1. Local 2911 President Mark Glyptis said he doesn't represent the Nestle Purina workers, but he joined the fight to keep it open.

"We contacted our legislators, Sen. (Joe) Manchin, Congressman (David) McKinley," Glyptis said. "As far as Weirton is concerned, that was a valued customer of ours. We supplied that product to them. We provided about 35,000 tons of plate to them on an annual basis."

He said the Weirton facility was the only one making steel for Nestle Purina. Now the company will focus more on its core products like pet foot and cat litter."

A looming closure also means a loss of revenue for the city of Weirton, too. Under the municipal service fee, the city received $2 per employee each week, which means the city will lose nearly $8,000 per year.

By the fall, the plant will be added to the shadow of a once successful steel industry along the Ohio River.

"We've lost hundreds and thousands of steelworker jobs since the government decided we're going to be global, and we're going to save the whole world at the expense of saving America," Glyptis said.

Nestle Purina officials said Silgan Containers will be working to find laid off employees job within the company. The local union president said he's meeting with corporate officials on Monday to work out details of severance packages, and Weirton's city manager said city officials will be working to find another business to move in.

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