Feb. 10--A maker of plastic containers is moving jobs from Fayette County to Mexico, putting 316 people out of work.

MWV Calmar, a subsidiary of MeadWestvaco Corp., will begin closing the Washington Court House plant in early April and consolidate the plant's functions with one in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

The Mexico plant is "more seamlessly scalable and features more advanced production equipment and processes," the company said in a news release. The closing will be complete by the end of the year.

MWV Calmar makes containers used for perfume as well as health-care and gardening products.

The parent company, based in Richmond, Va., announced in mid-January that it would close 12 to 14 plants as part of an attempt to save $250 million to $300 million by mid-2010. No specific locations were listed at that time.

"We have been taking aggressive steps over the past several months to help ensure we perform in today's uncertain environment, and are poised to take advantage of the stronger, more stable periods that are sure to come," John A. Luke Jr., chairman and chief executive, said in a statement.

MeadWestvaco told the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services that "unfortunately it is necessary" to close the plant.

Some of the workers are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

dgearino@dispatch.com

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