Novelis partially closes facility in Scriba, New York

Novelis, which is headquartered in Atlanta, plans to partially close its factory in Scriba, New York, which is in Oswego County, after some of its biggest customers—automakers—announced they would shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to reporting from Syracuse.com, which is an online partner of The Post-Standard newspaper in Syracuse, New York.

This move comes one day after Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler agreed to shut their factories until at least the end of March to help slow the spread of COVID-19. 

The aluminum maker also plans to partially close its facility in Kingston, Ontario, March 20. A Novelis spokesperson told Syracuse.com that the company will continue to pay idled employees at those facilities.

“This is a temporary measure, and we will continually evaluate the situation as the needs of the people, customers and communities evolve in response to COVID-19 over the next few weeks,” the Novelis spokesperson told Syracuse.com.

The spokesperson adds that the company’s Scriba plant is adhering to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s order mandating that no more than 25 percent of a company’s employees work on-site. 

Syracuse.com reports that the two plants will temporarily stop supplying aluminum for the automotive market, but they will continue to produce aluminum for the beverage can and specialty markets.