An estimated 200 workers at the former National Envelope Company in Westfield were notified that their facility located 70 Turnpike Industrial Road will close sometime within the next two-months. The new owners, Cenveo Envelope Group, bought the company in September 2013. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – A rumor that the former National Envelope plant in the Turnpike Industrial Park will close has been confirmed by the city’s mayor.
Daniel M. Knapik said this morning that a letter received last night informed him that the plant, which employees about 200 people, would close in June.
The National Envelope plant was formerly owned by Old Colony Envelope but was purchased by Cenveo, a Connecticut-based international company that claims to produce one quarter of the envelopes used in United States, when National Envelope was under bankruptcy protection.
Knapik said that although the plant closing is a disappointment, “this wasn’t a complete surprise to us” as “we knew there were some ongoing business problems” which might affect the plant.
“Our first concern is for the employees and families” affected, he said. “The city is working with its state partners to do whatever it can to mitigate the impact.”
“Western Massachusetts has not experienced anywhere near the economic recovery enjoyed by our neighbors on the other end of the state,” he said.
He said the city will do what it can to help the displaced workers and said that Cenveo has indicated that some of the workers could be absorbed into positions at other plants.
The Uniontown (Penn.) Herald Standard reported in today’s edition that recently laid off workers at the nearby Cenveo plant in Scottdale are being recalled “to expand envelope manufacturing operations” there.
Knapik said “there’s a potential for some folks to relocate” for jobs at other Cenveo plants but pointed out that relocating is not a viable option for many workers and said “it doesn’t always mean a lot of people are going to leave.”
He said he will “will continue to work aggressively to attract, grow and retain businesses in the city.”
