ThyssenKrupp Budd plans to phase out Detroit plant

ThyssenKrupp Budd Company, an automotive supplier, announced plans to phase out its Detroit manufacturing plant. The plant makes metal stampings and assemblies such as roofs, doors, fenders, tailgates, liftgates and body side panels for cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles.

In meetings with plant management and the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 306, company officials said the phase-out will begin within the next several weeks and final shutdown could be completed by the end of the year. The company will be working with its customers regarding the transfer of work to existing Budd facilities.

ThyssenKrupp Budd, like other automotive suppliers, has seen a decline in orders which has created open capacity and the company is looking at ways to consolidate its manufacturing base. The company cited competitive pressure as one of the reasons for the phase-out.

ThyssenKrupp Budd Detroit Plant, 12141 Charlevoix, was constructed in 1919 and purchased by the former Budd Company in 1925 from the Liberty Motor Company.

Approximately 350 salaried and hourly people are employed at ThyssenKrupp Budd Detroit Plant. Many are long-time employees who are eligible for retirement.

ThyssenKrupp Budd supplies approximately 100 vehicle models with sheet metal stampings and assemblies, composite autobody panels, chassis modules and subframes, bumpers and bumper reinforcements. ThyssenKrupp Budd operates 30 facilities with more than 10,000 employees in North America.