LyondellBasell's Victoria site is keeping busy
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NAS_PHOTO_WORKING/062909/FRIEDRICHS_DALE_070109Allison Miles/Victoria AdvocateFriedrichs(To run with LyondellBasell story. Photo in Common Mugs.)
More about LyondellBasell
One of the world's largest polymer, petrochemicals and fuels companies
Combined annual revenues of $50.7 billion
Filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy Jan. 6
Based out of Rotterdam, the Netherlands
In mid-May announced Jim Gallogly as CEO
Source: Mark ...
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More about LyondellBasell
One of the world's largest polymer, petrochemicals and fuels companies
Combined annual revenues of $50.7 billion
Filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy Jan. 6
Based out of Rotterdam, the Netherlands
In mid-May announced Jim Gallogly as CEO
Source: Mark Avelar, regional public relations manager
Even in a down economy, business continues at Victoria's LyondellBasell plant.
The Victoria site produces high-density polyethylene plastic resins used in things like ice cream containers, cookie packaging and the bags inside cereal boxes, Plant Manager Dale Friedrichs said. With more people eating at home in the downturn, the food packaging area is strong.
"In a nutshell, business is looking up for us locally," he said.
Company representatives spoke to about 60 people Tuesday at the Victoria Partnership meeting, updating the business community on plant operations.
In November, the Rotterdam, Netherlands-based LyondellBasell announced a 15 percent worldwide worker reduction, said Mark Avelar, the plant's regional public relations manager. In January it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The merger between Basell AF and Lyondell Chemical Company in December 2007 came at a bad time and the company fell prey to the recession, he said.
It is now working to save about $700 million, he said, through plant closures and reductions. LyondellBasell's goal is to emerge from Chapter 11 by December.
The Victoria site employs about 66 people and 16 contractors, Avelar said.
An aging workforce is one issue the company is working to fix.
In the next five years, plants will lose 30 to 40 percent of workers to retirement, he said. The company is struggling to get middle school and high school students interested in the business. They're also working to bring more women into the industry.
Victoria Economic Development Corporation President Dale Fowler asked if there was anything Crossroads residents could do to help the plant keep its sustainability.
Friedrichs encouraged community members to keep an open dialog with the plant and let it know if there's something that needs to be done.
LyondellBasell isn't the bad guy, he said, noting they need to change the public's perception of chemical plants. The local site has received numerous safety awards, including a star designation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
He also added that it couldn't hurt to increase product consumption.
"Buy more ice cream," Friedrichs said with a smile.
