Textileather to close its Toledo factory
1/16/2009Textileather Corp., a long-time Toledo manufacturer of fabric for car interiors, will close by April 30.
Employees had predicted the move after owner Canadian General-Tower Ltd., of Cambridge, Ont., said in November it would furlough all but 40 of its 160 workers by Jan. 31. Company officials initially denied the operation, at 3729 Twining St., would be closed.
In an announcement confirming the shutdown, company officials cited decreased sales in North America and the opening of two plants in Asia.
We regret the change that is forthcoming as it in no way reflects the dedication and the capability that Textileather has demonstrated over the years, Canadian General officials said in a written statement. Workers are represented by Local 244-T of UNITE HERE.
Textileleather s ties to Toledo date to the beginning of the 20th century. It began in the early 1900s as the Toledo Die Works but soon moved into coated fabrics. During World War II, a previous plant on the site made corduroy material for wartime use.
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