Columbus Components set to close permanently by end of July

    Adkins said employees have completed their work for Arvin Sango Inc. in Madison, for which they were making muffler components.

    Adkins also said employees are finishing work for Cummins Inc., for which the plant was producing items including large oil pans.

    The union voted in February to accept a 5 percent pay cut, an increase in insurance premiums and deductibles and suspension of company contributions to employees' 401(k) plans, after company leaders had warned that without those concessions they would have to close the plant.

Steady decline 

    Nonetheless, CCG over the last few months repeatedly has laid off employees and cut positions, citing declining sales. 

    Union officials, however, have said the company abandoned light-duty automotive work to focus almost exclusively on heavy-duty automotive work, which the union believes was a mistake. 

    The union has filed with National Labor Relations Board a charge of bad-faith bargaining against CCG. 

    James, Schabel and Klinginsmith have closed at least 10 manufacturing plants in North America in the last 10 years, eliminating at least 1,500 jobs and leaving suppliers and employees owed money.
    Default judgments against CCG totaling $75,511.84 have been awarded to four companies this year. The latest judgment, on July 7, awarded $13,650 to Hideyuki Kawashima for money owed for his role as executive adviser for Japanese accounts. 

    Five lawsuits and two liens by seven companies are seeking about $413,000 for non-payments of services or products.

No comment 

    CCG officials repeatedly have declined interview requests. 

    Adkins, of North Vernon, said he plans to go back to school to become a registered nurse. He has worked at the plant for 12 years. 

    Adkins said many CCG employees want to get out of the manufacturing sector because of its volatility.