Staffing of Stroh Can Plant to Be Decided

National Can of Chicago, which last week agreed to buy Stroh Brewery Co.’s can manufacturing plant in Chatsworth, said it expects to decide whether to cut or expand the facility’s 145-member work force before the deal closes March 31.

As part of that transaction, National Can also will acquire, for an undisclosed price, Stroh can plants in Fremont, Ohio, and Oak Creek, Wis.

A spokeswoman for Detroit-based Stroh said the planned sale of the plants reflects its efforts to cut costs by making fewer beer cans. She said the company also is selling the Ohio and Wisconsin plants because they are not near Stroh breweries.

Stroh will continue making cans at plants in Longview, Tex., and Winston-Salem, N.C., where it operates breweries. Stroh’s other plant in the San Fernando Valley, a brewery in Van Nuys that employs 430 people, is not affected by the deal.