x
Breaking News
More () »

70 Workers To Lose Jobs As Van Buren Oxane Plant Closes

VAN BUREN (KFSM) – The Oxane Materials plant in Van Buren is set to close in January, leaving 70 workers without jobs, according to a notice sent to city ...

VAN BUREN (KFSM) - The Oxane Materials plant in Van Buren is set to close in January, leaving 70 workers without jobs, according to a notice sent to city officials earlier this week.

Oxane President Chris Coker sent a letter dated Nov. 24 to Mayor Bob Freeman that notified him of the plant's shutdown. The letter reads, "The result of this action will result in the termination of employment for all employees working for the company at this location."

The letter continues, "No bumping rights exist, and there is no collective bargaining agent for the potentially affected employees."

The plant is slated to be closed Jan. 23.

"It's a hard pill to swallow right now," Leon Bibbins, who has worked at the plant for four years said. "I was disappointed for one and I just didn't know what to do. Everything that I just put in was just gone."

Oxane manufactures and markets equipment used for oil and gas production through hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," according to the company's website. The website lists two Oxane facilities---one in Van Buren, and the other in Houston.

Stay with 5NEWS for more on this developing story.

See the letter below that outlines the closing of the plant:

70 Workers To Lose Jobs As Van Buren Oxane Plant Closes

Before You Leave, Check This Out