News

Oct 10, 2023

Evansville's Crescent Plastics to close; cites global competition

EVANSVILLE − A decades-old Evansville company is shutting its doors, citing

EVANSVILLE − A decades-old Evansville company is shutting its doors, citing increased global competition.

Crescent Plastics on Diamond Avenue, which dates to 1949, will permanently close in December. Sixty-two union and non-union workers in Evansville will be impacted by the closure.

"Throughout its history, Crescent supplied extruded plastic parts to the appliance, point of purchase, agriculture, and heavy trucking industries," according to a news release from the company. "Crescent later entered the lighting fixture market and served many large players in this space. In recent years, and to Crescent's detriment, many of these industries increasingly transitioned their production facilities and supplier bases to low-cost countries, specifically Mexico and China.

"Ultimately, the lack of domestic demand for the products Crescent produces resulted in the decision to discontinue operations."

Scott Schroeder, executive vice president, said the decision does not reflect the work of Crescent Plastics staff.

Local news:Historical group believes it's found unmarked graves near Wesselman Woods

"We have a great team out there, and we have had for a long time," Schroeder said. "Folks have worked tirelessly to take care of our customers."

Closing the plant "has certainly not been an easy decision. It's something we’ve stewed over. Crescent has been a big part of this community for quite awhile."

The closure of Crescent Plastics does not impact affiliated companies Wabash Plastics and Cresline Plastic Pipe Co., and those organizations "still have (employment) needs from time to time," Schroeder said. Other Evansville area plastics companies, such as LyondellBasell, have recently stated they have hiring needs.

"We are providing a lot of resources to our folks at Crescent to help them with transitions," Schroeder said. "It's certainly not easy, but we’re doing what we can."