Workers await word on jobs at auto plant

More than 200 auto manufacturing employees could be out of work in March if Collins & Aikman can’t find a buyer for its Columbia plant.

The company filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification on Jan. 2 to notify 250 workers that the plant could close in 60 days. Collins & Aikman spokesman David Youngman said the Columbia plant, which makes instrument panels and interior plastic parts, is one of 11 that were given a WARN notice because of a downturn in the auto manufacturing industry and “excess capacity in the supplier sector.”

Youngman said that there was a mutual decision between the customers and creditors of the company to choose which facilities to close.

“They chose facilities that were considered less likely to be sold,” he said.

Though the plant could close on March 3, there are ways for it to stay open, Youngman said. Either the company could find a buyer, or the current customers could choose to keep their business at the plant after March 3.

“Even though these facilities are less likely to be sold, we will continue to look for buyers,” Youngman said.

While the plant continues to look for buyers, Regional Economic Development Inc. President Bernie Andrews said the possible closing is more about a downward trend nationwide in the automotive industry than anything wrong with the Columbia manufacturing environment.

“Columbia is still a good place to do business,” he said.

Andrews said that Boone County has about 5,000 manufacturing jobs, and REDI wants to keep them here.

“One of our goals is that we maintain a good manufacturing base here,” he said.

Don Laird, president of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, said that manufacturing jobs are just one of many types of jobs they are looking to bring to Columbia.

“We want a diverse workforce,” Laird said.

If the plant does close, REDI does not want it to sit empty for long.

“If it does become vacated, we are going to work to find a new tenant for the building,” Andrews said.

Youngman said the company has talked to prospective buyers but can’t comment on which plants are being discussed as possible purchases.

“At this time, we have a dialogue with a number of interested parties,” he said.

Youngman said the company is comparing offers.

“We are looking to preserve as many employees as possible,” he said.