13 Sep 2004
From Rubber & Plastics News
Clarksdale, Mississippi-Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. plans to stop production of inner tubes at its Clarksdale plant by 12 Nov because of a continuous decline in demand for the product.
About 129 of the facility's work force of 159 will be laid off. The remaining 30 employees will retain their jobs at the factory to produce curing bladders and operate Cooper's mixing unit, which makes rubber for internal consumption at the company's other plants, according to a Cooper spokeswoman.
Laid-off workers have already been notified and will receive outplacement assistance from Cooper, the company said in a prepared statement.
The firm also has notified its customers about the inner tube decision and has made recommendations for alternative manufacturing sources.
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