Stanley closing US plant that made its famed yellow tape measures – because its foreign model is more popular – UK Times

Stanley Black & Decker, a quintessential American tool company, is closing down a major U.S. plant in part due to lower demand for its iconic, single-sided tape measures.

The company, which produces millions of its yellow-and-black tape measures annually, is expected to shut down its plant in New Britain, Connecticut, on May 18, The Wall Street Journal reports. About 300 jobs are being cut as a result.

Stanley said there’s lower demand for single-sided tape measures, which were produced in New Britain, and higher demand for its double-sided tape measures made in Thailand, according to the report.

The company considered options to have the New Britain factory print its two-sided measuring tapes, but faced technical barriers that stopped the efforts, current and former Stanley workers told The WSJ.

Stanley reportedly said it looked into all options to avoid closing the factory.

Pete Cayer, a Stanley worker who was laid off last year, said he hadn’t heard about the single-sided tape measure concerns.

“There has never been a point in time where we ever heard anything about there being an issue with single-sided vs. double-sided,” he told The WSJ.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers called the factory’s closure “disappointing” in a March statement.

“The IAM Union is deeply disappointed by Stanley Black & Decker’s announcement to close its manufacturing plant in New Britain, Conn., a move that will devastate hundreds of hardworking IAM Local 1433 members and the broader community that has supported this company for generations,” said David Sullivan, the union’s eastern territory general vice president.

In a statement to NBC Connecticut, a Stanley spokesperson said the company will support the employees impacted by the closure.

“We are focused on supporting impacted employees through this transition, including providing options for employment at other facilities, severance, and job placement support services for both salaried and hourly employees,” the spokesperson said.

Still, public opinion appears to be split on whether the double-sided tape measures are in fact superior, according to The WSJ.

“A single-sided tape measure works 90% of the time, but anytime you’re on a construction site, saving that other 10% is worth the cost,” Texas electrician Paul Bruderer told the outlet.

Scott Bagley, a woodworker from Indiana, also said: “I can’t think of a single situation where a double-sided tape measure would have given me any kind of advantage in the last 20 years.”

The Independent has contacted Stanley Black & Decker for comment.