DuPont is closing its Chattanooga doors at the end of the month.
Chattanooga plant manager Mike Kirkland released the following statement: "In an effort to streamline operations, DuPont Performance Polymers is consolidating its manufacturing footprint. As a result, the business will cease production of nylon specialty polymer at its Chattanooga, Tennessee site by the end of 2015.
"There are 40 workers at the site; 26 DuPont employees and 14 contractors. We know this type of news can be difficult for those impacted, and the decision was very carefully considered.
"Career transition support services will be provided and DuPont employees will be able to apply for open positions within the company.
"During this transition our priority is to maintain respect for our people, high-quality service to our customers and high standards around our other core values of safety, ethics and environmental stewardship."
DuPont was at one time one of Chattanooga's employers with approximately 5,000 employees.
Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on Dec. 2, 1946. When the company began operation around the clock in July 1948 it had 900 workers.
Over the years, the DuPont plant would change in size and focus. It would grow into one of Chattanooga’s major employers, although its workforce size would ebb and flow with the economy and with demand for its products. The Chattanooga plant later produced nylon-based yarns for tire filaments and soft-sided luggage as well as resins for automotive and electronic components.
It also completed a $250 million renovation in 1997 that created 300 more jobs.
The plant also became known for its world safety records without an accident.
The expansive DuPont land also benefited the Chattanooga community as a whole. Part of the land was used for DuPont Elementary, and the wooded area across Access Road from the plant was set aside as a 200-acre preserve.
It was the first land in Tennessee certified by the National Institute for Urban Wildlife.
Athletic fields and city of Chattanooga public works operations later used part of the wooded land.