Dutailier to close its plant in Texas
By Tanya K. Merritte -- Kids Today, 10/1/2004
Hillsboro, Texas — Glider rocker and juvenile case goods manufacturer Dutailier is closing its Towne Square plant here. Workers were told the facility would shut down Oct. 25.
Company officials said the current state of global sourcing and the economy led to the decision to reconsolidate business and close the plant.
"It is unfortunate, due to the reduction in the volume of orders placed at the facility since the economic downturn 2001 and the onslaught of offshore products in the marketplace, that we now have no other choice but to close the facility," said Fernand Fontaine, president and owner of Dutailier, which is based in Canada.
"The Town Square name will be kept and marketed as an independent trademark; however, the products will now be manufactured in other Dutailier operations in the U.S. and in Canada," he said.
Fontaine said the changes will not affect most merchants and consumers.
Roger Jones, director of production at Towne Square, said about 70 people will lose their jobs, and the company was working successfully with local officials to find new work for those affected.
After Towne Square closes, Dutailier will have five plants in Canada and one in the United States in Martinsville, Va.
