Brintons Closing Australian Carpet Plant

London, England, April 4, 2008—Carpet manufacturer Brintons said it will close its Breakwater, Australia plant in June.

Company director and chief operating officer Garry Shannon said a combination of economic factors including a reduction in tariffs and a strengthening of the Australian dollar had contributed to the closure, the Geelong Advertiser reported.

He also blamed the growth in imported products, most notably from China, for making it tough for the company to maintain its Australian headquarters.

"Until recently, the company has been operating in a market predominantly supplied by manufacturers producing in the Australasian market, operating under similar rules faced by the Company with regard to tariffs and experiencing similar conditions with regard to currency exposure,'' Shannon said.