Sale of Sumitomo Rubber Site Signals Major Shift in Buffalo’s Industrial Landscape

Tonawanda, October 15, 2025

The sale of the former Sumitomo Rubber USA site in Tonawanda is set to transform Buffalo’s industrial landscape. Taiwan-based Hwa Fong Rubber plans to redevelop the site into an industrial park, preserving existing jobs while creating new opportunities for growth. This revitalization aims to bolster the local manufacturing sector and inject capital into the region’s economy. With the pending sale, the community can anticipate enhanced employment prospects and a diversified industrial base that addresses contemporary economic challenges.

Tonawanda, NY: Sale of Sumitomo Rubber Site Signals Major Shift in Buffalo’s Industrial Landscape

The sale of the former Sumitomo Rubber USA site in Tonawanda represents a significant development for Buffalo’s industrial sector. Pending regulatory approval, the transaction to a Taiwan-based manufacturer, Hwa Fong Rubber, is set to revitalize the underutilized property into an industrial park. This move is expected to preserve existing jobs while creating opportunities for expansion, strengthening the region’s manufacturing foundation.

The facility, located in Tonawanda just outside Buffalo, has been a key part of the local economy for decades. After Sumitomo’s closure earlier this year, the site faced uncertainty, raising concerns among workers and suppliers about its future. The pending sale comes as a relief, promising an injection of capital that could stabilize operations and attract new tenants to the 2.2-million-square-foot complex.

Job Retention and Growth Prospects

Analysts anticipate that the deal will help retain hundreds of jobs currently tied to the site’s lingering activities, with potential for hundreds more as Hwa Fong Rubber redevelops the space. The transformation into an industrial park could draw diverse manufacturing firms, leveraging the site’s established infrastructure including production halls, warehouses, and utilities tailored for heavy industry. This approach aligns with broader efforts to diversify Buffalo’s economic base, reducing reliance on single-industry operations.

Local suppliers, many of whom serve the manufacturing sector across Western New York, are poised to benefit from renewed activity. Increased demand for raw materials, logistics, and support services could ripple through the supply chain, providing a much-needed boost to small and medium-sized businesses in the area. The transaction’s focus on practical redevelopment underscores a strategic effort to maintain operational continuity while adapting to modern industrial needs.

Economic and Community Implications

For Buffalo’s economy, this sale marks a pivotal moment of transition. The industrial sector has long been a cornerstone, employing thousands and contributing significantly to the region’s GDP. Recent challenges, including plant closures and shifting global markets, have tested the area’s resilience. However, initiatives like this one highlight a path toward stability, emphasizing the reuse of existing assets over costly new constructions.

The site’s history dates back to the mid-20th century when it operated under various ownerships, producing tires and rubber products for automotive and consumer markets. At its peak, it supported over 3,000 jobs, making it one of the largest employers in Erie County. Sumitomo acquired the facility in 2017, but competitive pressures led to its eventual shutdown, leaving a void in the local job market.

Hwa Fong Rubber, a prominent player in the tire and rubber manufacturing industry, brings expertise from its operations across Asia. The company’s plan to convert the site into an industrial park involves partitioning the space for multiple tenants, potentially including light manufacturing, assembly, and distribution centers. This model could foster innovation by attracting startups and established firms looking for affordable, ready-to-use industrial space.

Regulatory and Implementation Timeline

The sale requires approval from local and state authorities, including environmental assessments to ensure compliance with regulations. Once cleared, redevelopment is projected to begin within the next six months, with initial phases focusing on infrastructure upgrades to support new operations. Full transformation into an operational industrial park could take up to two years, depending on the pace of tenant recruitment and construction.

This development occurs amid a broader context of industrial revitalization in the Buffalo area. Nearby projects, such as expansions in the automotive and logistics sectors, indicate a growing momentum for manufacturing recovery. By preserving jobs and injecting capital, the Sumitomo site sale contributes to a narrative of economic renewal, positioning Tonawanda as a hub for future industrial growth.

The transaction also reflects global trends in manufacturing, where companies seek established facilities in cost-effective regions like the U.S. Northeast. For Western New York, it offers a blueprint for turning economic setbacks into opportunities, ensuring that the industrial legacy of the area endures and evolves.

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HERE Resources

Hwa Fong Rubber to Transform Former Sumitomo Plant in Tonawanda
Taiwan-Based Hwa Fong Rubber to Acquire Sumitomo Facility in Tonawanda

Author: HERE BUFFALO