Zarn Assumes Parent Company Name

Melanie A. Lasoff

Zarn, a waste collection cart and container manufacturer, has changed its name to incorporate its parent company, Plastic Omnium. The company, headquartered in Reidsville, N.C., now will be called Plastic Omnium Zarn.

The name change does not affect personnel, product or service focus, according to Henri Steffens, company president.

Bruce Gibbons, vice president of sales, says the name change reflects the growth philosophy of Zarn, which is part of Plastic Omnium's urban systems division. "Our intent always has been to change the name, but we wanted to keep Zarn in the picture," he says. "Plastic Omnium is a big player internationally and in other divisions and products. We wanted to tie Zarn into our parent company."

Zarn was established in 1955 as a recycling company. In 1961, it pioneered the first plastic milk bottle for Borden Dairies, Burlington, N.C. Plastic Omnium, a Paris-based waste collection systems company, bought Zarn in 1991.