Plastech impact on Fenton assembly plants unknown
Chrysler LLC plans to close four assembly plants temporarily and shut down one shift at another due to the bankruptcy protection filing of parts supplier Plastech Engineered Products Inc., company officials said Monday.
About 10,500 Chrysler employees will be affected by the plant closures and shift shutdown, spokesman Kevin Frazier said.
The affected plants are in Sterling Heights; Newark, Del.; Toledo, Ohio; and the Belvidere plant near Rockford, Ill.
The second shift at Toledo Supplier Park in Toledo will be dismissed, the automaker said in a statement Monday.
Dearborn-based Plastech filed for bankruptcy protection last week. The company supplies Chrysler with a number of plastic components for vehicle interiors, exteriors and powertrain, Frazier said.
Chrysler is looking at other potential suppliers to fill the gap, he said.
Plastech is a supplier to both of Chrysler’s assembly facilities in Fenton, but spokeswoman Michele Tinson could not say whether or not there would be any impact on production at those facilities.
Frazier said Chrysler terminated its contracts with Plastech on Friday.
A message seeking comment from a Plastech spokesman was left Monday morning.
Plastech has 36 facilities and 7,600 employees in the United States and Canada.
It makes engine covers, grill panels, moldings, metal stampings, door panels, floor consoles and safety restraint system components for Chrysler, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp free credit report without a credit card. and Toyota Motor Co., according to the company’s website.
Ford is not planning any plant closures or shut downs related to Plastech, Ford spokesman Todd Nissen said.
"We are working with Plastech to ensure there is an adequate supply of parts to our facilities," Nissen said. "We have not experienced any production losses, but we are continuing to closely monitor the situation."
Chrysler said plant officials will notify employees when to return to work. Skilled trades and janitorial services personnel will be notified of their schedules by their respective plants, while other employees should not report to work unless notified directly by their management, Chrysler said.