Missouri truck tanker plant to close, affecting 245 workers

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - A Minnesota-based maker of truck tanker trailers says it is closing its plant in southwest Missouri's Springfield, affecting roughly 245 workers.

The Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/1S0zVyJ) reports that Polar Tank Trailer announced the planned closure Tuesday, citing "soft market conditions."

More than 100 union-backed workers at the plant have been on strike since early February.

The company says it plans to wind down operations in Springfield immediately, though production there will continue on a limited basis through July.

The company announced early last month that it also would halt operations at a small site in Holdingford, Minnesota.

Polar and the Springfield union have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since September.