TONAWANDA, N.Y. — Hwa Fong Rubber has purchased Sumitomo Rubber's former manufacturing facility and related property in the Town of Tonawanda.

Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joe Emminger confirmed with 2 On Your Side the sale was finalized Tuesday morning.

Emminger says operations are expected to resume in Q1 of 2026 and could generate around 250 jobs almost immediately. He added that the company is anticipates using 400-500,000 square feet and lease out the rest of the space.

The plant, which manufactured tires, closed in November 2024 due to rising material and logistics costs, aging infrastructure, inconsistent financial performance, and changing market conditions, leaving more than 1,200 hourly and 350 salaried employees without jobs.

"When Sumitomo closed its doors, my Administratio

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