Auto supplier Toledo Molding & Die Inc. will permanently lay off 120 employees in the spring at its facility on Phillips Avenue in Toledo, Ohio.
The plant is closing as a result of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' decision to switch suppliers for the production of the instrument panel assembly on the next-generation Jeep Wrangler, according to a WARN notice filed Jan. 30 with the State of Ohio.
Tier 1 components manufacturer Detroit Manufacturing Systems LLC, a Toledo-based joint venture formed in 2012 between the Rush Group Ltd. LLC and Faurecia Interior Systems Inc., was awarded the contract, according to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
Toledo Molding & Die said its Phillips plant is expected to close April 2, with the possibility of running through April, based on FCA's production schedule.
Plastics News has reached out to the company for further comment.
Toledo Molding & Die's layoff notice is one of two made by Jeep Wrangler suppliers as FCA prepares for the launch of its next-generation Wrangler, known by the two-letter code JL.
Sister publication Automotive News reported Jan. 26 that Hyundai Mobis North America LLC would lay off approximately 570 employees at its Toledo assembling facility, with production of the current model JK Wrangler ending April 7. The plant will be shut down to prepare for the April 2019 launch of the JL Wrangler.
Hyundai Mobis North America has built the chassis for the JK Wrangler since production for the model started in 2006, Automotive News reported.