Cooper Tire likely to close one U.S. plant

I just received a fax from Cooper Tire HQ in Findlay, Ohio announcing a 90-day "capacity study" in which it will likely close one of its four U.S. plants or otherwise substantially modify its operations. Cooper has tire manufacturing plants in Albany, Georgia (1,300 employees), Findlay, Ohio (1,100 employees), Tupelo, Mississippi (1,200 employees), and Texarkana, Arkansas (1,400 employees).

Cooper Tire is the largest employer in my legislative district. According to a news release from the company, two plants have union labor (ours and the oldest plant in Findlay, OH), and the other two are non-union. Texarkana plant manager John Bodart discussed the matter with chamber officials on Tuesday, and we're in contact with Cooper VP Steve Schroeder. The AP is also reporting.

Wednesday update: Here's today's Texarkana Gazette article.