This October the company has announced record third quarter sales, operating margin and earnings. At the time, chairman and CEO Frederic M. Poses had commented, "Looking ahead, we're on track to achieve our annual 15% earnings growth target as well as our sales, margin and cash flow goals."

Now he comments in the latest announcement, "These changes will eliminate job duplications and bring our operations closer to customers, enhancing our efficiency and competitive position across all business lines." He added that he believed the $52 million annual savings would be on an "ongoing basis."

American Standard was created from the 1929 merger of the American Radiator Co. and the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Co. It acquired Westinghouse Air Brake Co. in 1968 and The Trane Co., a manufacturer of HVAC equipment, in 1984. After Black & Decker Co. attempted a hostile takeover in 1988, management led a buyout, making the company privately held. It resumed its publicly traded status in 1995.

Now the company and its joint ventures operate manufacturing facilities in 36 countries, with a current roster of 58,000 employees. Spokespeople for the company declined to name the specific plant to be closed.

Plumbing Products has its group headquarters at 1 Centennial Ave. here with additional offices in Belgium and Hong Kong. Automotive Products has its group headquarters in Belgium and Air Conditioning Products has its group headquarters in Tyler, TX. The executive main headquarters for the entire company is located here.

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One Plant to Close and 1,200 to Lose Jobs at American Standard

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