Janesville Acoustics to close Richmond plant, displacing 67 workers

Janesville Acoustics, 3031 Industries Road, plans to shutter operations at its facility by August 2018, it said in a Dec. 14 letter to the state of Indiana and Mayor Dave Snow.

All 67 of the plant’s part-time and full-time employees will lose their jobs, with cuts starting Feb. 17, the letter said. The closure is expected to be permanent. Snow said he did not feel the city could offer any support beyond what it already has in incentives to prevent the plant from closing.

"It was presented as though the process was well into motion, and I appreciate their efforts to reach out and keep me in the loop," Snow said Sunday.

The Southfield, Mich.-based company produces thermal and acoustical fiber insulation for use in automobiles, according to parent company Jason International's website.In addition to gradually depleting its existing workforce over the course of six months, Janesville said it plans to terminate relationships with local temporary employment agencies in February, meaning it likely won't hire additional short-term workers to fill gaps.