It’s the tale of three industrial facilities – three plants – all located on State Route 7 just south of Marietta. And, though they have almost nothing else in common, the three sites are all undergoing a change in leadership.

 

In a trend familiar to local development experts, baby boomers are beginning to retire leaving some plant jobs behind. The wave of retirements has prompted Washington State Community College and the Washington County Career Center to beef up training opportunities for prospective young plant workers. And, now it’s causing a shakeup in personnel on Route 7.

 

Earlier this year, Eramet CEO Russ Craig and Solvay plant manager Richard Casey both retired, leaving two prime openings. Then an opportunity for an out-of-state transfer made Chevron Phillips manager Wally Kandel reconsider his options. Deciding to stay settled in Marietta, Kandel accepted the position of plant manager for Solvay Advanced Polymers.

 

A Chevron spokesman said a replacement for Kandel has not yet been named and the situation is still in development.

 

But, Ethan Frank-Collins told WMOA in an interview yesterday that Frank Bjorklund has been named as Craig’s replacement at Eramet.

 

The changeup doesn’t appear to be a sign of weakness in the industrial climate; rather two of the facilities are going through a time of significant growth. In August of 2005, Solvay announced a $50 million expansion at the Marietta site. And, earlier this month Chevron Phillips announced a progressive collaboration with Dow Chemical.