A Chattanooga manufacturing plant that traces its roots back 75 years is shutting down.
The Cannon Equipment factory on Riverside Drive, which for many years was known as Cumberland Corp. and is a maker of material handling equipment, is closing in early August with 71 people losing their jobs, according to the company.
In the mid-1990s, the plant had up to 250 employees.
“It kind of was a surprise that it is closing down,” said Tim Spires, who heads the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association. “It’s still tough out there.”
The Minnesota-based company said in a statement that the Chattanooga plant is shutting down as part of a restructuring. Cannon, which is part of IMI plc based in Great Britain, said it will focus its carts and machinery business in Minnesota.