By Matthew Spieler
DALLAS—Following “a comprehensive assessment of the unglazed mosaic tile segment,” Dal-Tile announced it is consolidating manufacturing operations to bring production in line with what the current market warrants.
Jarrett Steele, corporate communications for Mohawk Industries’ Dal-Tile and Unilin businesses, said the company will close its Olean, N.Y., mosaic tile manufacturing location by the end of January 2013, while simultaneously expanding operations at its Gettysburg, Pa., production facility.
The Olean facility currently has 174 employees, while Gettysburg, which has 185, will add 64 jobs as a result of the expansion.
John Turner Jr., president of Dal-Tile, said, “Though made with careful consideration, declining demand for this type of tile and our excess production capacity necessitated our decision to close the Olean facility. It was an extremely difficult decision given our employees and history at the site, however, our manufacturing operations at Gettysburg provide the capacity, flexibility and cost effectiveness we require to meet customer needs.”
He added the consolidation will not have an impact on customers or product availability.
Dal-Tile acquired the Olean facility in 1995 when it obtained American Olean from Armstrong. The plant dates back to 1913 when the Olean Tile Co. began production there.
The Keystone Ridgeway Co. initiated production at the Gettysburg facility in 1947. It was later owned by Wilson Brothers, from whom Dal-Tile acquired the facility in 1980.
At press time, Steele told FCNews the company was still “[assessing] what equipment will be transitioned and [determining] specific plans for the Olean facility.”