Reynolds Metals had been based here in Richmond since it's inception. In the late 90's, the family sold out to it's competitor Alcoa. It was only a few years later the corporate headquarters here was vacated. Alcoa however kept some of the plants open in the area. One of them being the foil plant in downtown Richmond that was constructed in the 1930's, and made all the foil that's ended up in supermarkets around the country. Alcoa kept the "Reynolds Wrap" name on the packages as well. Well, Alcoa announced this week that the foil plant here is closing, and laying off the 500 or so workers. Their excuse was that store-brands were becoming too popular, and fewer people were buying the premium name brand anymore. Not sure if the "Reynolds Wrap" name will continue or not, but the if Alcoa continues to make foil, it will no doubt now be made overseas. I always made it a point myself to buy Reynolds Wrap foil when I needed it feeling good about supporting a local product.
Reynolds Metals supported my family well over the years. Not at the foil plant, but at the corporate headquarters. My Grandfather worked as an engineer there, and my mother worked in the medical for at least 20 years or so starting about the time I began school. I even worked there throughout college in the maintenance department changing light bulbs, cleaning air conditioners, and other routine stuff on "2nd shift" after the office was closed for the evening.
Phillip Morris moved into the old corporate building on Broad street, and it looks pretty good...abeit, erie with P-M's big cast iron fence around it for security. They also chopped down the cherry trees that were given to them by a Japanese customer they supplied metal too that were between the building and the Broad St. The City of Richmond has plans for the property that the foil plant is on, as they are anxious to convert the land into commercial or high-rise residential tower, as other luxury hi-rise buildings like Riverfront plaza have grown up around it.
Reynolds Metals supported my family well over the years. Not at the foil plant, but at the corporate headquarters. My Grandfather worked as an engineer there, and my mother worked in the medical for at least 20 years or so starting about the time I began school. I even worked there throughout college in the maintenance department changing light bulbs, cleaning air conditioners, and other routine stuff on "2nd shift" after the office was closed for the evening.
Phillip Morris moved into the old corporate building on Broad street, and it looks pretty good...abeit, erie with P-M's big cast iron fence around it for security. They also chopped down the cherry trees that were given to them by a Japanese customer they supplied metal too that were between the building and the Broad St. The City of Richmond has plans for the property that the foil plant is on, as they are anxious to convert the land into commercial or high-rise residential tower, as other luxury hi-rise buildings like Riverfront plaza have grown up around it.
