McConway & Torley LLC will close its Kutztown, PA, foundry for good on May 5, according to a notice filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, in compliance with the federal Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act. Up to 130 workers will be idled by the closing, according to a local report.
The steel foundry describes itself as the world’s largest supplier of conventional railroad couplings, and indicates it has supplied approximately 65% of North America’s requirements for railroad couplers and yokes.
A spokeswoman for Trinity Industries Inc., which owns McConway & Torley, said the plant closing is due to a decrease in demand for its products, according to a local report. The company has not issued any other comment on its decision.
McConway & Torley produces railroad couplers, yokes, knuckles, locks, and other products for the rail industry, at foundries in Kutztown and Pittsburgh, PA.
There is no indication of any changes at the Pittsburgh foundry.
The company has been owned by Dallas-based Trinity Industries since 1980, but the Kutztown plant has been in operation since 1869.
