Avon Automotive to Close Manton Plant

Avon Automotive plans to close its manufacturing facility in Manton by the middle of this year. Cost pressures and a downturn in the US auto market have left the plant, which has been in operation since the mid-1970s, unprofitable. About 100 jobs will be moved to Mexico.

“Going back to August, we saw a major reduction in volume,” said Lee Richards, president and CEO of Avon Automotive. “The business has been losing money to the point where it’s no longer viable.” Richards said the company plans to wind down production over a six-month period, beginning in March.