Tyler Refrigeration closing in Niles

By LOU MUMFORD, Tribune Staff Writer

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By WSBT News1

Story Created: May 8, 2009 at 9:55 AM EST

Story Updated: May 8, 2009 at 5:45 PM EST

NILES — Some 500 workers will soon be without jobs in Niles after an announcement Friday morning that Tyler Refrigeration, the city’s largest manufacturer, will close in 90 days.

Niles City Administrator Terry Eull said he was informed via a telephone call from a company representative that the firm, founded in Niles in 1927, had been bought out by a competitor of Carrier Corp. Based in Farmington, Conn., Carrier, a division of United Technologies Corp. and the world’s largest provider of heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, bought Tyler Refrigeration a little more than a decade ago.

Eull said 40 white-collar workers were laid off Friday, and the remainder of the company’s 450 to 500 workers will lose their jobs in the next three months.

"This is not only not good news for the employees, it’s not good news for the city of Niles and the entire Niles community,’’ he said. "Our hearts go out to the employees and their families.’’

Carrier Corp. identified the purchaser as Hill PHOENIX, a designer and manufacturer of refrigeration equipment based in Conyers, Ga. Carrier said in prepared statement that production at the Lake Street facility will be "ramped down during the course of the year and eventually closed as existing customer orders are fulfilled.’’

Carrier took this difficult decision after a thorough review taking into account the tough and unprecedented market conditions,’’ said Philippe Delpech, president of Carrier Commercial Refrigeration. "We recognize the effect of this action on our employees, their families and their communities and are committed to work with them to help ease the transition.’’

Rumors of the company’s sale had been flying for weeks but Tyler officials were unwilling to confirm them. Eull said earlier he was aware a sale was possible but was hoping it wouldn’t materialize.

"This really is the last of the big ones,’’ he said in reference to the manufacturing plants that once employed thousands in Niles and the Niles area. "Kawneer, Simplicity Pattern, Clark Equipment in Buchanan, they’re all gone.’’

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