April 25, 2006 -- According to local news reports in Eastern Pennsylvania, McWane Inc.'s Tyler Pipe Co. is planning to close its foundry in Macungie, PA. The Tyler Penn Foundry produces cast-iron pipes and fittings, and employs about 200.

Tyler is based in Tyler, TX, and is a division of Birmingham, AL-based McWane Inc.

The Macungie foundry was the site of a fire last November, and at that time McWane indicated it planned to rebuild the operation. Shipping and receiving operations will continue at the site.

"Unfortunately, the fire and the potential financial obligation associated with rebuilding the plant forced us to re-examine the economic soundness of such a large capital investment," McWane vice president David Green stated.