Set for closure are its McHenry, Ill., drum and rotor plant, and its Erie and Northeast, Pa., plants.

In addition, Affinia said it would sell businesses located in Sudbury and St. Catharines, Ontario, and Waupaca, Wis.

According to company officials, the plant closings will result in the consolidation of brake component manufacturing at its Litchfield, Ill., plant, and will result in a net loss of 360 positions. Affinia employs more than 12,000 people worldwide.

“While these plant closures are in the best long-term interests of our company, we regret the disruption in the lives of our affected people, and we are working to mitigate the impact,” said Terry McCormack, president and CEO of Affinia Group. “Dislocation packages include job training and counseling, as well as severance pay and health benefits based on longevity with the company.

“We have come to a point where our competitive environment is forcing us to take actions we had hoped to avoid. In order for Affinia to remain competitive in the global economy, we have to take advantage of lower costs for select aftermarket components in production locations around the world,” he said.