Tenneco to move US rubber moulding jobs to Mexico

Milan, Ohio -- Tenneco Inc. said it plans to move its rubber moulding operations and three injection moulding machines from its Milan factory to the firm's plant in Reynosa, Mexico, resulting in the loss of 65 jobs in Milan.

The firm said relocation is needed to boost the competitiveness of Tenneco's elastomer business in North America because the number of low-cost elastomer producers has jumped in recent years, giving customers more sourcing options.

The company blamed the increasing cost of fuel, rubber and steel prices as hurting the operations' competitiveness.

The changes will be made over the next three to 12 months. Tenneco's mixing operations and research and development engineering center are not affected by the move.

The Milan manufacturing plant was built in 1947 and employs about 150 hourly and 20 salaried employees.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)