Hartsville, SC-based packaging converter Sonoco will close its flexible-packaging plant in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, by the end of March 2005. The Richmond operation will be consolidated into Sonoco's flex-pack plant at Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

The move is part of Sonoco's previously announced plans in 2003 to reduce its cost structure and is expected to result in significant savings. The plant has about 67 employees and produces flexible packaging principally for the coffee, confectionery and snack-food markets.