This 2011 file photo shows building 6 of Fujifilm Hunt Chemical USA Inc. off Manufacturers Road in Dayton, TN after a chemical spill.Fujifilm Hunt Chemicals U.S.A. Inc. is closing its plant in Dayton, Tenn., as part of a corporate streamlining of the Japanese chemical company.
Fujifilm Holdings America Corp. said Tuesday that its Fujifilm Hunt Chemicals subsidiary will shut down its Dayton plant by the end of next March, idling 84 employees at the Rhea County facility. The company said the closing was needed “to overcome market challenges” in the film processing and chemicals industry.
“This was a very hard business decision based on market conditions, which was reached only after considering many other options, and in no way reflects on the commitment and dedication of our Dayton employees,” said Mark Nale, manager of the Dayton plant. “We know this news is difficult for our employees, their families and the community and we are preparing to provide transition support to the employees who are impacted.”
The 66,700-square-foot plant in Dayton, which previously operated as Tennessee Valley Chemical and Tennessee Valley Performance Products, manufactures photographic chemicals, antioxidants, stabilizers, monomers, intermediates, additives and a variety of resins. Products manufactured in Dayton “will be rationalized, and when possible, transferred to other Fujifilm manufacturing facilities,” company spokesman Matthew Schmidt said.
As of Oct.1, Fujifilm Hunt will become a direct subsidiary of Fuji- film Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc.