London, England-based GKN Automotive, a manufacturer of driveline components, all-wheel drive systems, and plug-in hybrid systems for the automotive industry, has announced the restructuring of its North American manufacturing operations and the closure of its Timberlake, North Carolina Roxboro manufacturing facility.
The closure will impact 247 employees.
A company spokesperson noted, "GKN Automotive will consolidate its North American half-shaft machining and assembly operations in Alamance, North Carolina, in a phased approach during 2024. Recent investment in both Alamance and our Sanford Precision Forging facility has created a full End-2-End production facility that will optimize support and delivery for customers producing both internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric vehicles (EVs) and increase our competitiveness in the region to accommodate potential growth. As a result, we have taken the difficult decision to close our Roxboro facility. Approximately half of Roxboro’s 475 employees will have the opportunity to transfer to our Alamance, North Carolina site and our immediate priority is to support all affected employees through this process."
Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?