Meritor Suspension Systems Company to Close Coil Spring Operations in Milton, Ontario

Meritor Suspension Systems Company (MSSC), a joint venture between ArvinMeritor, Inc. and Mitsubishi Steel Manufacturing, announced last week that it plans to close its coil spring operations in Milton, Ont. The company met with union officials of the Canadian Auto Workers Local 1067 to discuss the closure plans which will impact all 165 employees. 

“We are experiencing unprecedented economic pressure within the global automotive industry,” said Gerald Anderson, president and general manager, MSSC. “This closure reflects actions we are taking to reduce fixed costs in response to significantly lower vehicle production volumes.”

The company is currently evaluating the transfer of this business to other MSSC facilities in North America. The phased closure is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2009.

MSSC is a joint venture between ArvinMeritor and partner Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd. The joint venture, formed in 1986, produced steel torsion and stabilizer bars and coil springs for the North American passenger car and light truck markets. MSSC has two other manufacturing plants located in Chatham, Ont. and Hopkinsville, Ky., in the U.S.