Company says coronavirus forces closure of Mississippi plant

Published 9:31 am Sunday, May 24, 2020

A company that makes coolers and freezers for restaurants, convenience stores and other businesses is closing a manufacturing plant in Mississippi, blaming economic conditions arising from the spread of the new coronavirus.

The New Albany Gazette reports that the Master-Bilt facility in New Albany is closing permanently.

Refrigerated Solutions Group issued a statement last week saying it decided to close the plant after reviewing business opportunities and market conditions.

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“Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused sudden, dramatic, and unexpected conditions outside of the company’s control,” the statement said.

Those conditions included government-ordered shutdowns of many of the company’s customers.

The company said it would consolidate manufacturing at a Hudson, Wisconsin, facility by Oct. 31.