Meridian Automotive Systems closing Huntington plant Jan. 30

Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly

Michigan-based Meridian Automotive Systems said Tuesday it will close its plant in Huntington, a move that's expected to cost 186 workers their jobs.

In a Nov. 3 letter to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Meridian said it anticipates the eliminations, which start Nov. 14, to be permanent and will continue until the facility closes Jan. 30. The layoffs will occur in seven phases, although that's subject to change based on "various factors," Meridian said in the letter.

The company said it was not able to provide notice of the layoffs earlier because its customers only recently announced "severe production cuts."

The affected workers produce fabricated metal at the company's 1890 Riverfork Drive facility in Huntington.

Meridian Automotive Systems is an automotive, heavy-truck and consumer industrial-products supplier.