Ford supplier in New Castle to close, putting 51 out of work

Randy Rendfeld, Courier-Times Editor

Workers at EMS, the company formerly known as Viking Delphi Plant 12, learned earlier this week their factory would close.

At last count, the plant employed 51 people, according to the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp.

"As a result of the plant closing, all employees will be terminated," reads a notice signed by Brian D. Frost, CEO of EMS in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

A "WARN notice," named for the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, notified workers that Enhanced Manufacturing Solutions LLC, 499 E. Road 300 South, "will be closed on a permanent basis" on or about April 30.

EMS made parts for Ford's Grand Marquis and F250 vehicles, said Bryan Coats, CEO of the EDC.

Coats added that the factory's ill fortunes were tied to problems with Ford, whose vehicle sales have slumped badly.

"They were trying to get some contracts," Coats said. "The last I heard that didn't happen."

Coats said EMS changed its name about 11/2 months ago.

The company came to New Castle in 2003, at which time it expected to create 184 jobs. But employee numbers never hit those heights, Coats said.

Coats said it was a hard announcement to take on the heels of good economic news earlier this week.

On Wednesday, Honda supplier, Japan-based TS Tech, announced that it plans to build a factory in New Castle's industrial park and employ 300 people by March 2009.

"That's why we exist," Coats said. "You have to make up for the ones who go away."

New Castle Mayor Tom Nipp said employees would have an opportunity go to Work One Express to get funneled back into the workforce. Nipp did say that if TS Tech ends up locating in Henry County the workers will have an opportunity to work there.