Morton Salt to Cease Packaging and Warehousing Operations at Elston Avenue Facility
Company Remains Committed to its Presence in Chicago with Recent Decision to Move Downtown Headquarters Office to New River Point Property in the West Loop
CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Morton Salt, Inc. today announced it will cease packaging and warehousing operations at its Elston Avenue facility in Chicago by the end of October 2015. This comes as the result of a comprehensive network study initiated over a year ago.
At the facility, Morton Salt packages and stores ice melting salts and other bulk salts that are sold to commercial businesses. The company employs 23 team members at the facility.
"Morton Salt reviews the efficiency and effectiveness of its operating network on a regular basis to serve customers in the best possible way," said Jim Vincent, Vice President of Operations for Morton Salt, Inc. "The analysis of our Elston facility showed that it would be more efficient to serve customers from other sites in our network."
Company representatives met with the Elston facility team today and committed to aiding in as smooth a transition for them as possible.
"We will work closely with impacted team members on their individual transition plans and provide severance packages and other benefits," Vincent said. "Where possible, we will also consider these team members for other positions in the company. Morton Salt is grateful to the entire Elston team for their dedicated service and support."
Morton Salt first began operations at the site in the late 1920s. While its packaging and warehousing operation on Elston Avenue will cease, the company will maintain a business presence on-site.
"The Morton Salt facility on Elston Avenue has an iconic presence in Chicago," said Christian Herrmann, Chief Executive Officer of Morton Salt, Inc. "That's why we will explore all possibilities related to the future of the property and the infrastructure upon it. Our company was founded in Chicago and we are committed to the long, rich history we have here."
As part of its commitment to Chicago, Morton Salt signed a 16-year lease agreement with River Point in June 2015. The company is planning to move from its current headquarters office at 123 N. Wacker Drive to the new River Point property located at 444 W. Lake Street in December 2016.
This relocation is part of the company's business and cultural transformation strategy and will bring together Morton Salt's 300 headquarters office employees with its 50 customer service center employees currently located in Oak Brook, Ill.
About Morton Salt, Inc.
Morton Salt, Inc., part of the K+S Group, is the trusted authority in salt in North America. Our iconic Morton® brand, coupled with the broadest footprint in the industry has made us a leader since 1848. We produce salt for culinary, water softening, household and road deicing, food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, and numerous industrial uses. Our employees are committed to safety, quality, service and the communities in which we operate. For more information, visit www.MortonSalt.com.
SOURCE Morton Salt, Inc.
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