Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • ITEC
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • War in Ukraine
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
    • 2022 International Silicone Conference
    • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
    • 2022 Women Breaking the Mold
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Suppliers
March 04, 2020 12:18 PM

100 face layoffs as TPC rebuilds Port Neches site

Miles Moore
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Environmental Protection Agency
    An aerial view of TPC's Port Neches facility shows damage from the Nov. 27 explosions and subsequent fires.

    PORT NECHES, Texas—Roughly 100 of the 183 employees at TPC Group's Port Neches butadiene extraction facility face layoffs as the company works to rebuild the site in the wake of two Nov. 27 explosions and multiple fires.

    Operations at the facility have stopped as TPC rebuilds, an endeavor that will take at least two years, according to findings provided by third-party engineering reports that were commissioned by the company.

    Salaried and hourly workers were informed of the layoffs during a Feb. 25 meeting, and TPC said, it only will retain workers needed to maintain the terminal operations until the facility is back to full operation. Once that happens, those impacted by the layoffs will have an opportunity to return.

    "The company has plans for growth beyond that point," TPC said, "which would require talented and dedicated resources, and the impacted employees would have an opportunity to apply for those positions at that time."

    Rebuilding the facility, however, is just the start, according to TPC. The company noted that additional permitting and preparation "results in an approximate five-year timeline for resumption of production at Port Neches."

    Laid-off hourly employees will receive pay and benefits through April 30. The company said it is working with the five unions that represent Port Neches workers to identify those who can fill positions for terminal operations.

    Officials of United Steelworkers Local 13-228, which organizes some of the hourly workers at the Port Neches site, could not be reached for comment.

    TPC also is providing outplacement services for salaried employees. Laid-off salaried employees are eligible for severance benefits, and will receive their 2019 bonuses, according to the company.

    TPC eliminated the positions of 11 salaried employees at Port Neches. Fourteen others, it said, have been tapped for other positions within the company, but 10 will have to relocate.

    "Most of these were open roles or roles occupied by a full-time contractor," TPC said.

    The Port Neches facility was rocked by two explosions that resulted in multiple butadiene-fueled fires Nov. 27. Five towers and 12 tanks were damaged at the site. At this time, the facility is secure, TPC said, and repsonse teams are working to ensure their efforts come to a safe end.

    "The work being done today—to deinventory materials from the site and further derisk the facility—is setting the foundation for site recovery," the company said. "TPC Group continues to believe it has a sound plan for the path forward and sufficient liquidity to weather this difficult period."

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Nokian poised to immediately exit Russia
    2
    One killed, two injured in shooting at WeatherTech facility
    3
    Bridgestone opens $21 million race tire plant, boasts guayule-based Firehawk
    4
    Bridgestone creates silicone-based self-sealing tires
    5
    DuPont tailors its adhesives as EVs get more sophisticated
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • ITEC
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • War in Ukraine
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
        • 2022 International Silicone Conference
        • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
        • 2022 Women Breaking the Mold
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION