C.R. Bard (NYSE:BCR) reportedly plans to shutter a trio of Bard Medical plants in Minnesota by the end of the year, meaning layoffs for the 185 workers employed there.
“We understand that our employees are directly impacted by this decision. We are committed to treating them fairly and will respect, and we will support them during this transition,” Bard said, according to news reports.
Bard is the largest employer in Stewartville, Minn., according to KAALtv, having acquiring Rochester Medical in November 2013 for $262 million. Stewartville, roughly 100 miles southeast of Minneapolis, was Rochester Medical’s home base.
Co-founder Anthony Conway told the station that the news came as a surprise even though he’d heard rumors of a possible closure.
“It’s a fairly big deal and not good. When people are losing jobs it’s a major impact. I know most of those people,” Conway said.
Stewartville city administrator Bill Schimmel said he also heard rumors about Bard pulling up stakes, which were confirmed when the company met with city and state officials Jan. 6 to announce the decision.
“One of our questions was, was this due to anything Stewartville-related? State officials asked if it was anything Minnesota-related, and they said no, strictly a business decision,” Schimmel told the station.