MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (Feb. 26, 2008) — GPX International Tire Corp. said it will close its Mississauga solid tire plant before mid-year and move production to factories in Gorham, Maine, and Xingtai, China.
GPX cited a weakening market for industrial tires and strong competition from Sri Lanka for its decision, saying the Mississauga plant operates only four days a week now. By consolidating its North American operations, GPX said it will be able to return it to a five-day work week at Gorham.
It plans to move some equipment to Gorham from Mississauga as well as purchase machinery for Gorham. It didn't disclose the size of the investment or costs associated with the closing.
GPX employs about 100 at the 60-year-old Mississauga plant, which it obtained in its 2006 acquisition of Maine Industrial Tire Ltd.