NEWARK — Plans were announced by Acuity Brands Corp., based in Atlanta, Ga., to close two local plants of the Holophane Corp. One plant is in Newark, the other in Utica. The closings are expected to affect around 300 jobs. Each location would lose about 150 jobs.
The Holophane Co. has been in Newark since about 1902. The company is known for the manufacture of prismatic glass. It provides lighting systems for commercial, industrial, emergency and outdoor applications.
Utica Mayor Larry Friesel said moving the company out of the village is a big blow to Utica.
“This is devestating to the community,” he said. “This is our largest industry and now it’s gone.”
Friesel said the plant will close March 30. As of this morning, Friesel said he didn’t know exactly how many jobs would be affected in the Utica area.
“We are forming a task force to see what we can do about this,” Friesel said. “We are going to see if their building is available and try to attract another business. We need to try to do something now.”
Friesel said he thought the Utica plant has been in operation for 20-plus years.
