The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

POLYMERS International Ltd, one of the largest employers in Grand Bahama, is not closing down, Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville said yesterday.

However, the company – which produces polystyrene beads used to make foam products – has been forced to cut back and adjust its selling price to compete in the market.

According to reports, the company is involved in a price war with a Mexican firm that also manufactures and sells polystyrene at a competitively lower price.

Polymers has had to make changes to its operation in Freeport to cut costs at the plastics plant on Queens Highway. It is understood that a number of contracted labourers have already been disengaged, along with other measures to reduce operational costs. 

The Tribune has tried to contact Valerie Barry, Human Resources manager at Polymers, about recent speculation on social media about the plant closing down. 

Dr Darville – who has been in contact with company officials – said last week that is not the case. “I know that they are going through some changes right now, but they are not closing,” he said. 

Polymers began operations in Grand Bahama in 1996, producing and exporting expandable polystyrene to Europe, the United States, Argentina and other countries.

Polymers has almost 100 full-time employees. It manufactures about 170 million pounds of polystyrene beads annually.