New Albany auto parts plant shedding 193 of its workers

The IBJ

Beach Mold & Tool, a New Albany-based manufacturer, has notified the state that it has laid off 193 workers - nearly half its work force - at its Indiana plant.

Beach blamed the layoffs on cutbacks by several automaker clients, including Ford, Honda, General Motors and Mercedes.

The layoffs, which began in late September, included 93 non-union mold press operators, 27 mold makers and 23 assembly operators.

Beach, founded in 1972, specializes in injection molding, precision tool making and processing completed assemblies. The company also has plants in Virginia and Mexico.