PARIS - Tarkett, a Paris-based flooring giant, will move all of its Canadian production to the U.S. The goal is to optimize operations and reduce shipping costs.

 

The flooring company runs manufacturing plants in Ontario and Nova Scotia - each of which will shut down. The Ontario plant, which produces flooring accessories, will integrate operations with a plant in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and operations at the Nova Scotia plant will integrate with a plant in Dalton, Georgia.

 

This consolidation will reduce Tarkett’s cost base in North America and generate the planned cost synergies anticipated from its recent Lexmark acquisition. As most of the products manufactured in Canada are shipped to the U.S. market, this move will also significantly improve logistics, the company said in a release.

 

The affected employees - 70 in Ontario and 240 in Nova Scotia - will receive outplacement support to find new opportunities. The closure process is set to be complete by the end of the year.

 

Tarkett offers a wide range of flooring products, including wood flooring, carpet, laminate flooring, and rugs.