STERLING HEIGHTS, MICH. — Becker Group LLC will close at least one injection molding plant, a year after buying it back from Johnson Controls Inc. Company officials told employees at the Sterling Heights operation that it has does not have enough contracts to continue and will lay off at least 300 people by June, with the factory set to close in January, Daren Rupert, plant chairman for United Auto Workers Local 155, said in a March 3 telephone interview.
"Five hundred people know that they're going to be out of a job," Rupert said.
Requests for comments from the company were referred to President Mike McInerney, who was not available.
Most employees will leave in June, when Becker's contract to produce interior trim for DaimlerChrysler AG minivans ends, he said.
Fewer than 200 will remain on the job, with their positions phased out through January as the corporation wraps up a series of other contracts.
Most workers already have started seeking other jobs, Rupert said.
Entrepreneur Charles Becker sold his business, Becker Group Inc., in 1998 to Johnson Controls, then created the new business in January 1999 with other former executives. Becker Group LLC bought back eight injection molding plants, including the Sterling Heights operation, and two tool shops.