Sumitomo Rubber to close New York facility displacing 1550 workers

Tonawanda, NY – Sumitomo Rubber USA, LLC (SRUSA), a Tonawanda, New York-based manufacturer of automotive tires for passenger cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles announced plans to close its manufacturing facility in Tonawanda, NY.

The closure follows an extended examination of the viability of the facility, following thorough analysis of various business complexities, including mounting material and logistics costs, dated infrastructure, intermittent financial performance, and changing market conditions. The evaluation was undertaken as part of a broader strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Sumitomo Rubber Group in the competitive international tire market.

While the company did implement cost-control measures, efficiency enhancements, capital investments, and other improvements over the last several years, these changes have not offset mounting financial losses at the facility.

Approximately 1,550 hourly (union) and salaried (non-union) employees will be impacted by the announcement and have been formally notified of the decision. The United Steelworkers Union Local 135 has also been updated and the company is working with union representatives on effects bargaining and equitable severance packages. The company intends to actively collaborate with union representation and former salaried employees on various job placement support services to help ease workforce transition.

SRUSA is in the process of communicating directly with customers and suppliers to address any potential concerns related to existing orders, delivery schedules, and ongoing contractual obligations. SRUSA also intends to conduct research, development, and testing activities at a yet to-be determined U.S. location. All tire production at the Tonawanda facility will cease, effective immediately, with related wind down activities expected to conclude over the next 12-24 months.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) and Sumitomo Rubber North America, Inc. (SRNA) will continue to service existing customers, without interruption, by utilizing a larger percentage of SRI’s available global production capacity.

SRUSA remains committed to supporting its former employees through this challenging time, and remains grateful for all associates’ hard work, dedication, and contributions to the company and facility over its many years in business.

Further information on the plant closure is available on the company’s closure announcement web page at https://srusa-tonawanda-update.com.