Released on April 30, 2010

McWane Inc. recently announced it will temporarily idle its Birmingham, Ala., ductile iron pipe casting plant, the company’s original, 89-year-old manufacturing facility.

“As a result of the continuing slump in the nation’s economy and the housing sector in particular, demand for waterworks products has dropped by as much as 55%,” said Ruffner Page, president of McWane Inc. “The persistence of the economic downturn has left us no choice but to temporarily reduce our production capacity as the market recovers.”

According to Page, McWane expects to restart the Birmingham plant “very soon.” The company said in a statement it would attempt to maintain the idled plant (the first facility built by J.R. McWane when he founded the company in 1921) in a condition that will allow a quick restart when market conditions improve.

Page said that while the Birmingham plant is idle, McWane will continue to operate its manufacturing facilities in Utah, Ohio and New Jersey. The company also is working through inventory at the Birmingham plant.

According to the McWane statement, the idling of the plant will affect approximately 117 workers. Page said the company would assist employees with job placement services and counseling.

In addition to pipe, McWane produces ductile iron valves, hydrants and fittings. The company employs 4,200 in the U.S. and operates 25 manufacturing plants, including 13 ferrous casting facilities, in the U.S., Canada, Australia and China.