IGC Castings Inc., Dowagiac, MI, plans to close its aluminum diecasting operation there by the end of this year, according to local reports citing a letter to union officials. The letter, invoking the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Act, indicates a “reduction in force and plant closing” is scheduled for November 5.”

At plants in Dowagiac and Bridgman, MI, ICG Castings produces A-380 aluminum alloy diecastings, and offers some combination of precision machining, painting, mechanical finishing, or assembly on most of its products. It products are sold to automotive, truck, home and commercial appliance, and office furniture manufacturers.

It’s not clear that the Bridgman plant will close, too, thought he letter from IGC Castings president and CEO Eric Showalter reveals that the first workforce reduction will affect 97 workers at two plants.  

It further indicates that IGC Castings expects the layoffs will continue through November and December, and will affect all 167 IGC employees covered by the union’s collective bargaining agreement, “as well as all employees not covered by the CBA.” The letter explains that the workforce reduction will “occur in stages as customers move current production to new suppliers.”  It also indicates the “plant closing is expected to be permanent.”

The company’s workers are represented by the United Steelworkers union, though their labor agreement is due to expire October 31.

Federal law, the so-called WARN regulation, requires employers to notify workers of a planned shutdown 60 days prior to the event.