Stanley Black & Decker , a quintessential American tool company, is closing down a major U.S. plant in part due to lower demand for its iconic, single-sided tape measures. The company , which produces millions of its yellow-and-black tape measures annually, is expected to shut down its plant in New Britain, Connecticut, on May 18, The Wall Street Journal reports. About 300 jobs are being cut as a result. Stanley said there’s lower demand for single-sided tape measures, which were produced in New Britain, and higher demand for its double-sided tape measures made in Thailand, according to the report. The company considered options to have the New Britain factory print its two-sided measuring tapes, but faced technical barriers that stopped the efforts, current and former Stanley workers told The WSJ . Stanley reportedly said it looked into all options to avoid closing the factory.…