A. Schulman proposes end of Akron production

AKRON (Oct. 17)—A Schulman Inc. has proposed to the United Steelworkers Local 76 the termination of manufacturing at the company´s Akron plant. Under the proposal, the company plans to utilize the building for product sampling and as a warehousing and logistics center. Increased margin pressures and lower-than-expected demand for products produced at the site were among the ``combination of plastics industry economic and financial factors´´ that prompted the decision, the company said in a prepared statement. The proposal, calling for termination of production in about 90 days, would affect 91 hourly and 38 salaried workers. Employees remaining at the site after production ends will continue to be represented by the USWA, A. Schulman said.