OMYA in Illinois
 
Huber may buy Quincy OMYA site

March 15, 2003
By Kevin Woodward
Herald-Whig Staff Writer

The Quincy facility of OMYA, a calcium carbonate supplier, could be sold to the J.M. Huber Corp.

Jim Reddy, president of OMYA Industries, said late Friday that the two companies have reached an agreement in principle but have not worked out all details of the sale. He said it could be a couple months before the two companies finalize a deal.

Reddy declined to say why OMYA Industries plans to sell to J.M. Huber Corp., or what the sale price would be.

J.M. Huber Corp. officials could not be reached for comment.

OMYA has 17 employees at its 1700 Turtle Lake Road facility, just down the road from Huber’s operation at 3150 Gardner Expressway.

According to the Great River Economic Development Foundation, Huber employed about 200 people last year in Quincy at its main operation and Underground Warehouse subsidiary.

OMYA was started as Quincy Carbonates in 1990 by three Quincy businessmen, Alex House, Jerry McNay and Al Mogenis. In 1992, Quincy Carbonates started a joint operating agreement with OMYA. The three original owners have since sold their interest in the company.

The OMYA Web site says products made in Quincy are used in latex carpet compounds, roof shingles, cultured marble and joint compounds.

Huber’s Quincy operation makes products that are used in the paint, paper, rubber, adhesives, and wire and cable industries.

Huber’s history in Quincy dates to the Black White Limestone Co., which was started here in 1917. In 1965, Black White Limestone consolidated its operations with Calcium Carbonate Co.

Calcium Carbonate was sold to J.M. Huber Corp. in 1973, and Huber sold its Quincy-based Agricultural and Specialties Application business to SEM Minerals L.P. in 1998.