Timken to Close Clinton Plant as Part of Automotive Group Restructuring
09/22/2005 - The Timken Co. announced plans to close its Clinton, S.C., plant. Production at the plant, which manufactures components and bearings for automotive powertrain and chassis applications, will be phased down over the next two years.
The Timken Co. announced plans to close its Clinton, S.C., plant. Production at the plant, which manufactures components and bearings for automotive powertrain and chassis applications, will be phased down over the next two years.
The decision is part of Timken’s ongoing program to increase competitiveness of its Automotive Group by reducing fixed costs and creating more focused factories across its automotive product portfolio. This action is part of the previously announced restructuring of the company's Automotive Group.
"It is necessary that we continue to competitively position our operations. The decision to close this plant resulted from a lengthy study of our automotive business that identified the need to exit certain product lines and to reduce fixed costs across our manufacturing network," said Jacqui Dedo, President of the company's Automotive Group. "In no way is this decision a reflection on the performance of our associates at the plant. They have achieved much over the years, and we acknowledge their efforts."
Products from the Clinton plant will be integrated into other facilities throughout Timken's manufacturing base. Timken expects to continue manufacturing the vast majority of these products in the United States. Many of the Clinton plant employees will be offered job opportunities at other Timken manufacturing plants as production is phased down at the Clinton plant. During the manufacturing consolidation, the company will continue to make customer service a priority.
Timken initiated the Automotive Group restructuring at the end of July, and it expects to announce further actions related to the restructuring in the next few months.
Timken’s Clinton plant produces a broad array of components and bearings for automotive powertrain and chassis applications. The plant also manufactures bearings for industrial applications, such as transmissions and outboard engines. The facility opened in 1961 as part of The Torrington Co. Timken acquired Torrington in 2003.