04.15.08
The Columbia Paint & Coatings manufacturing plant in Helena, MT is closing in March. Columbia Paint Co., founded in Helena in 1947, was purchased last summer by Cleveland-based Sherwin-Williams. Helena’s paint manufacturing capacity will be moved to the Columbia plant in Spokane, WA, which is where the company’s main office has been based since 1974. Ten people will lose their jobs. Sherwin-Williams spokesman Mike Conway said the company is negotiating severance and retraining packages for the employees. Conway also said the Columbia name and the company’s 41 retail stores, including one in Helena, will remain.