Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (USA, website; a division of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, France) is moving some polymer bearing production from Bristol, Rhode Island to a new facility in Iztapalapa, Mexico.

Approximately 90 workers will be laid off over the next 18 months, more than half the 160 currently employed in the underutilized 100,000 square foot Bristol facility.

Bristol was part of Saint-Gobain's 1999 acquisition of Furon-Dixon Industries. The plant produces polymer bearings, rings, and seals from proprietary Rulon and Meldin materials.

Only the Rulon product line is being moved to Mexico.

Donald Stinnett, GM of Polymer Products, said: "We appreciate the contribution made to our business by our Bristol employees and want to do what we can to help them during this transfer. We will work closely with each of our employees to ease the transition for them and their families."

Mr. Stinnett added: "We expect this move to improve the overall efficiency of our operations and strengthen our competitive position."

Saint-Gobain is offering relocation and retraining; the move should be complete by the end of next year.