Freeport-McMoRan Copper Products (Freeport), also known as Phelps Dodge, has decided to close its rod plant in Norwich, due to the downturn in business amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Per a report in The Day, a notice filed with the state Department of Labor by the plant’s manager, James Hodson, said that the plant expects to permanently lay off about 117 employees, beginning in August. About 90 employees will be laid off between Aug. 17 and Aug. 30, and the remaining employees, about 27, will be laid off during a sec-ond 14-day period following the first.

“Phelps-Dodge Industries Inc. has carefully reviewed our operations at our Norwich Plant in light of the dramatic downturn in business and economic uncertainty brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Hodson wrote in the filing with the state. “... we have taken a close look at our rod and refining operations to evaluate whether they are eco-nomically viable. After much careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close the Norwich Plant.”

The story cited a company statement that said Freeport would “gain efficiencies” with two other rod mill operations in El Paso, Texas, and Miami, Arizona.