Assemblyman Bill Conrad ‘blindsided’ by Sumitomo Rubber closure

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Nearly a week after learning the Sumitomo Rubber plant in Tonawanda is closing down, its more than 1500 employees are still left scrambling to find new jobs with comparable pay. Efforts are underway to ensure that the employees impacted are being helped in any way possible.

Sumitomo Rubber announced on Thursday that it will be closing its facility in Tonawanda. The plant manufactured tires for car, trucks, buses and motorcycles.

Assemblyman Bill Conrad said he was blindsided by the announcement, especially after being in communication with the company in recent months.

“They say that it was a financial decision, the markets are tough, they’re losing money,” Conrad said. “But at the same time, I’ve got folks and friends who showed me text messages just a month ago praising them for their efficiency in raising tire production.”

Rally held for Sumitomo Rubber employees as they head to unemployment

Conrad says he had an issue with how the employees were notified of the closure. Some employees received texts, others received letters in the mail and some found out upon showing up to work.

“You show up to work and you find out you don’t have a job,” Conrad said. “There’s a fence up, there are tactical guards set up, that’s an unnerving feeling.”

Since the announcement, dozens of local employers have stepped in to help the 1,500 employees find new jobs. Conrad said it’s a nice gesture, but it doesn’t solve all of the issues.

“There’s worry I think on behalf of the employees that they’re not going to get the same level of benefits and health care,” Conrad said. “I think that’s a real concern.”

The Town of Tonawanda is partnering with Workforce Buffalo to host a job fair for former Sumitomo employees. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Lincoln Park Athletic Complex.

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Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.

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