H&M closing Ohio plant, costing 84 jobs

H&M closing Ohio plant, costing 84 jobs

ERJ staff report (R&PN)

Kent, Ohio -- H&M Rubber Co. Inc.'s plant in Kent is closing, costing 84 employees their jobs.

The maker of rubber latex rebreather bags and other components used in the delivery of anesthesia disclosed the shutdown in a notice filed with the state of Ohio under the federal Worker Adjustment and Training Act. The firm said it will move production to parent King Systems Corp. in Noblesville, Indiana.

H&M Rubber's layoffs will occur in two rounds. The first will start July 31 and affect about half the work force, and the rest will take place on Jan. 31, 2013.

King Systems-which manufactures and distributes airway management, anesthesia and respiratory medical devices, products, equipment and supplies-acquired H&M and its 35,000-sq.-ft. plant in 2003 from its founder, James Moore. At the time of the sale, Thomas Moore, James Moore's son, served as president of H&M, and said the firm had the same product base as King System.

Gary Harvey, managing director of H&M Rubber, wasn't available for comment.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)