Beverage Can Manufacturer To Close Phoenix Plant

Colorado-based metal-container manufacturer Ball Corporation reported Wednesday, on a U.S. GAAP basis, a second quarter 2022 net loss attributable to the corporation of $174 million on sales of $3.46 billion in 2021.

Second quarter segment comparable operating earnings were down year-over-year and include the impact of higher manufacturing and inflationary costs. Segment volumes were flat in the second quarter and reflect the deceleration of customer demand resulting from significant retail pricing actions by customers to pass through inflationary costs to consumers, particularly in the U.S.

In response to the deceleration in customer demand late in the second quarter, the construction of a new beverage can manufacturing facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada, has been delayed, and certain actions across the existing North American manufacturing footprint, including ceasing production at our Phoenix, Arizona, and St. Paul, Minnesota, facilities, have been announced to address localized supply/demand imbalances.

Ball Corp. will shut down its aluminum can facility in Phoenix, due to rising costs and decreasing demand. As a result approximately 120 workers at their 51st Avenue and Van Buren Street location will be impacted. The Arizona site will close down before the end of the year.

Ball Corporation has two additional locations in the Valley, Goodyear and Waddell. Neither one were discussed as possible closures.