IAC announces 202 layoffs in Greencastle
GREENCASTLE -- A local auto supplier has notified the state of its plans to lay off 202 workers.
In a letter dated Aug. 7 from International Automotive Components (IAC) Human Resources Manager Paula Miller, the company informed the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, UAW officials and Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray of the company's plans.
The layoffs will commence on approximately Nov. 10, with additional layoffs scheduled around Dec. 13.
The plant currently employs just over 550 employees at the Greencastle facility. The layoffs will leave approximately 350.
IAC Director of Marketing and Communications David Ladd said the two lines being eliminated are going through what is known as a "build-out."
"The (Greencastle) plant makes a lot of interior door systems in vehicles, and two of those particular programs are just ramping down," Ladd said. "On one of them, we simply weren't sourced for the next generation of that particular door, and the other is moving to another IAC plant.
"That just leaves us with lines that are not operating, so what we need to do is fill those lines with new business," he added.
The 202 affected positions include 185 operators, eight relief operators, three janitors, three fork truck operators, one cell leader, one die setter and one process tech.
While IAC considers the layoffs permanent, the company remains hopeful about the future prospects of the plant.
"The silver lining on the cloud is that we are going to be retooling for a big program coming in," Ladd said. "The problem is, it's going to take time to get retooled and get set up for that new program. In the meantime, we don't have anything for those employees to produce.
"We're hopeful that we'll be able to recall those employees," he said. "I don't have an exact timeframe on that, but it's early 2011."
IAC last had to lay off employees in May 2009, just after General Motors and Chrysler announced widespread plant closures. Since then, the Greencastle plant has recalled all the laid off employees.
The United Auto Workers Region 3 Director's Office had no comment on the layoffs.