<p>Toy company The Little Tikes Co. is closing a manufacturing facility here, affecting 120 hourly and 12 salaried employees.</p><p>The company plans to shift production within two months to its facility in Hudson, about 20 miles southeast of Cleveland. Some of the jobs will transfer to the Hudson plant, which employs 600 hourly and 250 salaried workers, said Little Tikes spokeswoman Laurie Yingling.</p><p>Were still working out details on that. But there will be some job loss, she said.</p><p>Employees were informed of the decision Thursday morning.</p><p>Global overcapacity within the toy industry has caused a competitive disadvantage in our business, said Clancy Lavins, the companys president.</p><p>Sebring Mayor John Smith said the news was devastating for the city about 51 miles southeast of Cleveland.</p><p>We had no inkling whatsoever. With the economy like it is, its just devastating to us, he said.</p><p>Established in 1993, the Sebring factory produces components that are used at the Hudson plant, as well as finished products. Yingling said some products made in Sebring are picnic tables and basketball sets.</p><p>Little Tikes, which has more than 2,000 employees, is part of Atlanta-based Newell Rubbermaid. In December, Newell Rubbermaid announced plans to close its Wooster plant by June 30.</p><p>___</p><p>On the Net</p><p>www.littletikes.com</p>
