A local news report indicates Kurdziel Industries plans to close its Sparta (MI) Foundry by the end of this year. Production is due to cease November 23. Clean-up and transition projects will continue until December 23.

The plant produces small automotive castings. Kurdziel also produces larger castings at its Rothbury (MI) Foundry, where some displaced workers may be reassigned.

"It's tough. We've procrastinated and tried and tried to try to correct this," Steven Wenk, Kurdziel v.p. president of administration told the Grand Rapids Press. "It's not something you want to do." He blamed pricing pressure created by imported castings.

Kurdziel bought Sparta Foundry in 1998 and updated the operation at a reported cost over $2 million. However, the plant has more recently has been offered for sale. It’s not known if that sale effort is still underway.