Novelis, an international aluminum rolling company, informed its Fairmont, West Virginia, employees on Monday, March 31, 2025, that the local plant will permanently shut down on June 30, 2025, resulting in the loss of approximately 189 jobs. This marks the second major job loss for the region within a year.
Fairmont Deputy Mayor Josh Rice, who also works at the Novelis plant, stated that employees were instructed to attend a meeting on Monday morning after shifts were abruptly canceled over the weekend. At the meeting, Novelis officials cited “environmental reasons” for the closure, although employees also mentioned hearing about high maintenance costs and the impact of tariffs. The announcement took many by surprise. Concerns now loom over the future of the affected workforce and local economy.
“Nobody saw this coming as quickly as it did,” said Rice, a 13-year employee. He expressed concerns about the impact on employees nearing retirement, those with young families, and those who had recently purchased homes.
Novelis released a statement acknowledging the difficult decision to close the Fairmont plant as part of a strategy to “consolidate U.S. operations.” The company committed to supporting employees during the transition and thanked the city and state for their partnership.
The closure comes nearly a year after Novelis shut down its Buckhannon, West Virginia plant, impacting 80 employees. A Novelis plant in Richmond, Virginia, will also cease operations. The company is restructuring amid declining earnings and market headwinds.
Novelis is owned by India-based Hindalco Industries and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Third-quarter results show a decline in net income.
