Another local company battered by foreign competition

WARREN — U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan visited a Warren manufacturer today and promised to assist in its battle against Chinese imports.

Ryan of Niles, D-17th, gathered information from Larry Gross, company chief executive, and said he would research whether a trade case could be filed to create tariffs on Chinese auto lifts.

Backyard Buddy, 140 Dana St., has seen sales of its lifts plummet in the past five years as Chinese companies have entered the market.

The local company used to produce between 3,500 and 4,500 lifts a year but now is making just 500. Employment has been cut from 40 to 21.

For more information, see Tuesday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.