Shell to close operations in Ill., Mo.

[February 28, 2012]  ROXANA (AP) -- Shell Oil Co. plans to close its oil blending and packaging plant in Roxana, where Shell began operations in 1918.

A company spokeswoman says the Wood River Blending Plant is closing because it needs major upgrades and because it is on property Shell doesn't own.

The closure of the Shell Lubricants site will result in the loss of more than 80 jobs in Roxana, just east of St. Louis. The company says it will also close its regional distribution center in O'Fallon, Mo., which employs more than a dozen people.

Shell says the distribution center will close at the end of the year, while the Roxana plant will close at the end of 2013.

A Shell spokeswoman says employees will have the chance to apply for jobs at other locations.

Shell is a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc.

[Associated Press]

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