Disappointment abounds about Hydro’s closure

Feelings of disappointment surfaced repeatedly as community leaders discussed Hydro Aluminum’s announcement that it will close its Adrian plant by the end of the year. It is “certainly a very sad announcement,” Mayor Gary McDowell said, adding that it was not entirely unexpected. “We just continue to be a recipient of bad news as the automotive industry takes hits in this economy,” he said. “My heart goes out to the families that suffer from the loss of their jobs. Hopefully this will all come to an end soon. ... We just have to keep hoping for the best.” Hydro employees were told Tuesday morning of the company’s decision to consolidate its North American operations at its plants in Rockledge, Fla., and in Reynosa, Mexico. The company, which makes precision aluminum tubing, cited the auto industry’s struggles as the reason for the consolidation. Jim Gartin, CEO and president of the Lenawee Economic Development Corp., said the agency is “very disappointed.” “We worked with them over last several months to provide a packet that would convince them to stay in Michigan,” Gartin said. Gartin also expressed the LEDC’s disappointment for the employees and the community because “the employees were an incredible work force.” “We’re sorry that the whole process didn’t work out for them,” he said. Ann Hughes, president and CEO of the Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce, said “We’re extremely disappointed. We were in hopes that all this work that has been done in the company and community would come to fruition. … It obviously hasn’t.” “It means we’ve all got to work harder and get this turned around in our community,” she said. Despite the news of the closing, McDowell shifted to a more positive note, as he shared his feelings on another company linked with the automotive industry: Inteva Products LLC, which bought the former Delphi Corp. plant on East Beecher Street. McDowell said he is confident that Inteva is on “much more stable ground” since receiving new business. Inteva designs, engineers, manufactures and assembles interior systems, latch and closure systems and door module and window lift systems, according to its Web site. After hearing the news of Hydro’s plan to close its Adrian plant, Manny Salazar, director of South Central Michigan Works’ Lenawee Service Center, said a rapid response coordinator with the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth was contacted. Salazar said they are working on getting a rapid response so they can talk with the employees about the services Michigan Works can provide. Michigan Works is waiting to hear back on a meeting date. The United Auto Workers’ public relations department declined to offer comment on Hydro’s Adrian plant closing. The Adrian plant was founded in 1939 as Bohn Aluminum & Brass and made aircraft parts during World War II. Norway-based Hydro bought the company in 1990. About 120 people are employed at the Adrian plant. source:www.lenconnect.com