WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Simmonds Road metallized plastic film manufacturer will close this summer after more than 50 years of operation.
The Berkshire Eagle reported that Steinerfilm will close at the end of June, leaving 34 people unemployed. The company is working to connect employees with new jobs and resources, and will transition its customers to German sister company Steiner Film GmbH.
The Eagle reported that rising costs, supply chain issues, and tariffs made it difficult to operate in the U.S., and a planned sale of the company to a customer fell through.
After the closure, the property will go up for sale and the machines will be decommissioned.
Founded on the heels of Ernst Steiner’s 1951 breakthrough in downsizing electrical capacitors using metallized plastic film, Steinerfilm officially planted its roots in Williamstown in 1972 as a sales and distribution hub. The operation quickly moved from a satellite office to full-scale manufacturing, launching domestic metallizing production in 1978 with custom German equipment and anchoring its supply chain in 1981 by acquiring its own polypropylene film line.
The company underwent a final major facility expansion in 1990. In its prime, the faciltiy employed nearly 200 people.
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Companion Corner: Zorro & Peanut at Second Chance Animal Shelter
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
ARLINGTON, VT. — There is a sweet bonded pair of felines looking for a new home together.
iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.
Zorro and Peanut have been at the shelter for a few months and are about 3 years old.
Feline program administrator Santana Snyder introduced us to them, noting this is their second time at Second Chance.
"They were originally adopted from us when they were kittens, and they're approximately 3 to 4 now. They unfortunately had to come back," she said. "The adopter's living situation changed, and that is just one of our policies that will always take back any cats or dogs that are adopted from us."
The two love people and will immediately come to greet you once you enter the room. While Zorro loves to give kisses and talk with you, Peanut may be on the cat tree and curious as to what you might be doing.
"Both are very affectionate, sweet kitties. Zorro is a little bit more bold with his affection. He loves to give kisses and little love knits. Zorro is definitely one to warm up a little quicker than Peanut, but again they're both very friendly," Snyder said.
The two would probably do best as the only cats in the home. They might be able to live with a cat-savvy dog, but have not been in that situation.
"Coming into the shelter, they did go to a room with other cats, and it kind of stressed Peanut out and made Zorro a little bit angry. So they would probably be best as the only pets in the home, possibly a dog," Snyder said. "I just don't know if they've ever lived with a dog before, and just because Zorro does do little love nips here and there, probably no young children. They are pretty playful."
Snyder said while they have only been at the shelter for a couple of months, it can be hard for two cats to find a home together.
"I think them being a bonded pair is going to cause them to be here a little longer. Most people coming in really only look for one, but our hope is that they'll meet them and realize they're both really good cats and be like, OK, two is good, too," she said.
Peanut can be outgoing while Zorro can be easy going. But both are very playful and love to explore their surroundings and play with many of the toys.
"Peanut, for the most part, is outgoing and friendly, but he does like a chill environment. He likes hidey beds and things like that. I think they make him feel a little bit more safe than just being out in the open. Zorro, on the other hand, is a super chill, easy-going guy. He loves to talk. He's very talkative, so even if you see him through the windows, he's talking to you. You come in, he's talking to you, again, very playful, Zorro is as well. They love being around people," she said.
The two are quite healthy and are ready for their new family who will love and play with them.
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