Assemblyman Bill Conrad 'blindsided' by Sumitomo Rubber closure

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Nearly a week after learning the Sumitomo Rubber plant in Tonawanda is closing down, its more than 1500 employees are still left scrambling to find new jobs with comparable pay. Efforts are underway to ensure that the employees impacted are being helped in any way possible.Sumitomo Rubber announced on Thursday that it will be closing its facility in Tonawanda. The plant manufactured tires for car, trucks, buses and motorcycles.Assemblyman Bill Conrad said he was blindsi