Ashland provides update on its $60M manufacturing network optimization plan

Ashland (ASH) provided an update on its $60M manufacturing network optimization plan, a key initiative under its “execute” strategy. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational consistency and profitability, and improve the competitive position of core technologies, the company announced the closure of its manufacturing facility in Parlin, New Jersey, and the transfer of its hydroxyethyl cellulose, or HEC, production from Parlin to its Hopewell, Virginia plant. This action is a critical step in building larger scale, improving costs across manufacturing sites and delivering the planned HEC network optimization savings in line with Ashland’s timeline. The company also announced the closure of its Chatham, New Jersey plant, and the transfer of its microbial protection production to its Freetown, Massachusetts plant, making progress on the consolidation of its smaller plants into its larger manufacturing sites. Beyond the network optimization, Ashland continues to invest in its future.