Fulflex to close mixing, calendering plant in Vermont

Brattleboro, Vermont - Fulflex Inc. plans to close its Brattleboro plant and move its rubber product and mixing operations to other facilities within the next 18 months.

President John Depuy blamed rising rubber, fuel, transportation and other raw material costs as the prime reason for the shutdown and consolidation.

In addition, he said the cost of doing business in Vermont is the highest of the firm's facilities.

The company plans to close down its rubber calendering operation by 1 Sept., while the mixing department will continue operating for the next 12 to 18 months before it is moved to Fulflex's Greeneville, Tennessee, site. The factory and 19.5 acres of land Fulflex owns will be sold.

About 80 workers will probably be laid off by 1 Sept. while another 35 will remain on board to mix raw materials until that operation is moved.

The Brattleboro factory makes a variety of natural rubber and latex-free goods at the site, primarily for the diaper (nappy), textile, automotive, health care and industrial markets.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)