Harrison
February 5th, 2008, 2:17 pm
Dura to close Gladwin plant
Stephanie Buffman (http://www.gladwinmi.com/staff/index.php?id_staff=2) / Editor
Last updated: Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 03:32:50 PM
GLADWIN – After many months of speculation, it’s been announced that DURA Automotive’s Gladwin plant will close for good by the end of the year.
In a statement issued Jan. 23, the Brunswick Group, DURA’s corporate office, announced the impending closure.
“We regretfully informed employees today at our Gladwin, Michigan site of the plans to close that facility by December 2008,” said John Truckey, vice president and general manager of Brake and Mechanical Assembly Operations. “The announcement is a result of our operational restructuring program to improve efficiencies and ensure our long-term success. This decision was difficult, as we value the contributions of all of our dedicated colleagues.”
DURA, which purchased its Gladwin plant in 1996, has been in the process of bankruptcy reorganization since October 2006. They are still in the process of devising an exit strategy and earlier this month filed for a three month extension for the right to file a Chapter 11 plan. The company scrapped its previous exit plan in December.
“It’s a sad thing for the people that work there,” said Gladwin City Manager Bob Moffit. “It’s sad for everyone.”
According to DURA’s corporate office, they currently employ 29 salaried workers and 131 hourly workers – workers that will have to find other opportunities in the workforce, local or not.
“We certainly encourage employees to go to MichiganWorks! and put an application on file,” Moffit said. “Hopefully, through that agency some of the workers can be placed in other local positions.”
The displaced workers will be eligible for some programs through Michigan Works!, including the state of Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind Act, which provides up to two years free tuition at any Michigan community college or other approved training program and allows displaced workers to receive needed training in high demand skills while receiving unemployment benefits.
A Brunswick Group representative declined to comment on any potential separation terms between DURA and its employees, advising that the company would discuss any separation agreements with its employees directly.
Stephanie Buffman (http://www.gladwinmi.com/staff/index.php?id_staff=2) / Editor
Last updated: Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 03:32:50 PM
GLADWIN – After many months of speculation, it’s been announced that DURA Automotive’s Gladwin plant will close for good by the end of the year.
In a statement issued Jan. 23, the Brunswick Group, DURA’s corporate office, announced the impending closure.
“We regretfully informed employees today at our Gladwin, Michigan site of the plans to close that facility by December 2008,” said John Truckey, vice president and general manager of Brake and Mechanical Assembly Operations. “The announcement is a result of our operational restructuring program to improve efficiencies and ensure our long-term success. This decision was difficult, as we value the contributions of all of our dedicated colleagues.”
DURA, which purchased its Gladwin plant in 1996, has been in the process of bankruptcy reorganization since October 2006. They are still in the process of devising an exit strategy and earlier this month filed for a three month extension for the right to file a Chapter 11 plan. The company scrapped its previous exit plan in December.
“It’s a sad thing for the people that work there,” said Gladwin City Manager Bob Moffit. “It’s sad for everyone.”
According to DURA’s corporate office, they currently employ 29 salaried workers and 131 hourly workers – workers that will have to find other opportunities in the workforce, local or not.
“We certainly encourage employees to go to MichiganWorks! and put an application on file,” Moffit said. “Hopefully, through that agency some of the workers can be placed in other local positions.”
The displaced workers will be eligible for some programs through Michigan Works!, including the state of Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind Act, which provides up to two years free tuition at any Michigan community college or other approved training program and allows displaced workers to receive needed training in high demand skills while receiving unemployment benefits.
A Brunswick Group representative declined to comment on any potential separation terms between DURA and its employees, advising that the company would discuss any separation agreements with its employees directly.