Fort Smith Trane Plant to Shut Down

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) — A plant in Fort Smith that makes residential heating and cooling equipment is set to shut down this year, leaving 250 employees out of work. Trane announced Monday that it is shifting production of its residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning manufacturing from Fort Smith to plants in Lynn Haven, Florida; Columbia, South Carolina; Vidalia, Georgia; and Tyler, Texas. The company will still operate its plant in Fort Smith that makes HVAC equipment for commercial use. Trane is owned by Ingersoll Rand. A company spokeswoman says the transfer of work from the residential plant will occur in phases and is expected to be complete by this summer.