ArvinMeritor, Inc. today announced it's consolidating its three North American ride control facilities into one, including the closure of its Toronto, Ontario, original equipment shock absorber operation, and its Chickasha, Oklahoma, packaging and distribution center. The 700-person closure is part of a previously announced restructuring plan affecting 2,800 employees from 13 North American and European plants.
"The company must operate from a global manufacturing footprint that optimizes capacity and reduces costs, while creating the highest levels of service and value for our customers," said Ed Frutig, vice president and general manager, Chassis Systems. "Our site closures are in no way a reflection of our dedicated workforce. Our talented and highly-skilled employees have consistently delivered quality products for our customers."
A majority of the shock absorber production will be transferred from Toronto to Queretaro, Mexico by June 2008, with an anticipated closure by June 2009. The Chickasha site will move its packaging and distribution business to a U.S.-based third party logistics company by April 2008. Employees were advised of the closure plans today during a series of meetings. ArvinMeritor will offer severance and benefits packages to affected employees.