The company has taken the decision to close the factory due to global overcapacity in the light vehicle aluminium wheel market and the increasing level of aluminium wheel imports coming into North America from countries with lower production costs. The company says the closure announcement reflects its overall strategy to continue to focus its business on the “right products in the right geographic regions.”
The Gainesville facility, which has been producing wheels since July 1994, employs approximately 290 people. Employees were advised of the closure during a meeting at the facility. A portion of the production currently at Gainesville will be moved to the Hayes Lemmerz aluminium wheel facility in Mexico.
"The phase-out is a difficult but necessary step in our overall plan to provide our customers the highest quality products at competitive prices and to improve profitability," said Curtis Clawson, president, CEO and chairman of the board. "I would like to express my appreciation to our associates in Gainesville. We will work with those affected by this decision to help them through the transition," he added. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)
