Nordson Corporation Relocates Amherst Operations Impacting Local Workforce
A major step in Amherst’s development as a business community, the news from Nordson Corporation, a leading adhesive manufacturing company, that it will move its operations out of Amherst, is viewed as a significant development for the Amherst business community. The impact of this move will reach 114 local employees, ripples that will affect the local job market and economy.
The primary reason for the uptick is Nordson Corporation, a longtime Amherst presence that cited strategic realignment as the reason for the relocation. For several years, the company known for its stock of innovative adhesive technologies and manufacturing processes has served as a key employer for the region. With emphasis on optimization of its operational footprint and competitive position in the global market, what has led to the decision to move operations out of state.
Local officials and community leaders are worried about what impact the news could have on the local economy after the news was met with consternation. Like many communities across the United States, Amherst has been looking to keep those things, while also attracting manufacturing jobs into this increasingly competitive global spectrum. A loss of 114 jobs is a huge blow to these efforts and ponders about the economic future of the area.
Nordsons’ decision to close the facility has left local government representatives disappointed and they have promised to support affected employees through such a transition period while also working closely with them. As efforts to connect displaced workers with job training programmes and jobs in the region begin, some entrepreneurs have been lining up to offer their services for this task. Economic development officials are also redoubling efforts to attract new businesses to the area to help ease the job losses.
Nordson’s relocation also speaks to the struggles manufacturing communities nationwide continue to overcome. With companies looking to cut costs, and streamline operations, relocating or consolidating facilities has become common practise. This trend has pushed on the local economies that were long used to manufacturing as a main pillar of the economy and employment.
Amherst’s economic future remains bright, said some local business leaders, despite the setback. Skilled workforce, strategic location and a supportive business environment are cited as key assets that can help them attract new investment and job opportunities, they add. The local economy is being diversified in an effort to encourage growth of other sectors of the economy, particularly technology and healthcare.
The job losses from Nordson’s departure affect more than just the work force. Those local businesses which have previously acted as suppliers, or service providers, to the company may also be impacted by the relocation. And it emphasises the ripple nature of local economies — besides the support of agriculture, local economies need to be diverse enough to prevent a critical hit.
Meanwhile as the community adjusts to this news attention now turns to what will become of the facility that Nordson will be vacating. Experts believe local officials and potential new tenants are already discussing how to repurpose the site to use for new local industrial or commercial uses. Nordson’s departure is to be minimised in the long term and new economic growth opportunities to be created in the area.
The plight of Amherst is a reminder to the challenges that remain for manufacturing communities working throughout the country. With the global economy moving forward, towns and cities need to change as well; not just respond to conditions but also work to build resilient, diversified economies which can emerge from the loss of major employers.
The road ahead may be hard but this news has sparked a resiliance and a determiunation from the Amherst community to overcome anything that stands in our way. That, however, won’t be the end, as local leaders, companies, and residents come together to find ways to cope with Nordson’s relocation, and hope there may be new opportunities on the way that will help the community grow and prosper in the future.