Wahlco Will Take $10-Million Charge for W. Va., Canada Plant-Closing Costs

Wahlco Environmental Systems Inc., a maker of pollution-control and power-efficiency equipment, said last week that it will take a charge of about $10 million to cover costs of closing plants in West Virginia and Canada.

The company, based in Santa Ana, cited the sluggish worldwide economy, ongoing delays by U.S. utilities in complying with the 1990 Clean Air Act and competitive pressures as reasons for the restructuring.

The $10-million pretax charge will reduce fourth-quarter earnings by between 37 and 42 cents a share, Wahlco said, adding that it plans to release its 1993 results in early February.

A year ago, Wahlco posted a fourth-quarter loss of $4.8 million, or 27 cents, on revenue of $17.4 million.

The company said it will close the operations of Wahlco Power Products Inc. in Fairmont, W. Va., and Wahlco Engineered Products Canada Inc. in Montreal. Manufacturing at the Montreal unit will be consolidated at Wahlco’s operations in Maine.

In Thursday’s trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the company’s stock closed at $4.75 a share, up 25 cents.