Avon may close English polymers plant

BRADFORD-ON-AVON, England (May 18)—Avon Rubber P.L.C. may close its Cow Polymers plant in Croydon, England, this year and shift the unit´s production of molded automotive parts to plants in France and Czech Republic. Avon said the move reflects excess capacity in the United Kingdom, where manufacturing costs are rising relative to other European markets because of the strength of the British pound vs. the euro. A closing would cost the company about $6 million in charges and affect 150 employees.