Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) plans to shutter its plant in Sherbrooke, Quebec, by the end of the year, cutting 135 jobs.
The plant made devices for "intravenous interventions," according to the Canadian Press. Production will move to Baxter plants in the U.S., Costa Rica and Singapore.
The news comes on the heels of an FDA decision that forced Baxter infusion pumps off the market earlier this month, citing a "long-standing" failure that Baxter officials said could cost the company between $400 million and $600 million.
There was more bad news earlier this year when a contamination problem lead to the temporary shut-down of a plant in Ireland in January. The company reported double-digit declines in its fourth quarter and full year 2010 profits just weeks later.
The latest shut-down north of the border is part of a company strategy to remain competitive globally, company spokeswoman Jana Machan told the wire service.
The company plans to sell the Sherbrooke plant, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2008, according to the news wire.
