Dorman closes MAS Industries plant in Quebec

MAS Industries plant in Boisbriand, Quebec.

The Journal of Montréal is reporting that U.S. auto parts giant Dorman is shutting down its MAS Industries plant in Boisbriand, Que.

Dorman bought the chassis and suspension parts company a year ago.

The closure, which throws 120 people out of work, is being blamed on U.S. protectionism and the US$200 billion tariffs that the Trump administration has imposed on Chinese imports.

The company had announced in October that it would steps to fully mitigate the impact of tariffs. It is unknown whether the closing of the Boisbriand plant was part of that mitigation strategy.

Boisbriand mayor Marlene Cordato is quoted by the Journal of Montréal, as placing the blame squarely on American politicians.

“In my opinion, this is an eloquent example of American protectionism,” she told to the paper.

According to The Journal, Dorman’s vice president of human resources, Stacy Vahey, made the trip to Quebec to personally tell workers that the plant will close at the end of February 2019.

Dorman is valued at $ 3.7 billion on the New York Stock Exchange.

Read the full story HERE.