Tenneco Cuts 285, Cites Losses

LAKE FOREST, Ill.--Tenneco Automotive Inc., which makes Walker exhaust systems and Monroe shocks and struts, has laid off 285 salaried workers in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio as part of a worldwide plant to cut some 700 jobs.

Tenneco, which has 70 factories in 21 countries, has seen a sharp decline in profits.

The 285 U.S. layoffs amount to 6 percent of the company’s salaried work force. The company said it had already eliminated some 140 salaried jobs earlier this year--largely through attrition.

Most of the latest cuts, which the company said were made Monday, came at plants in Lake Forest, Ill., and Monroe, Mich. Others were made in Grass Lake, Mich., and Milan, Ohio.

Additional cuts will come at operations in Asia and South America, the company said.

Mark Frissora, chairman and chief executive officer, cited bad market conditions and costs that range higher than industry averages. The cuts are to save about $45 million annually.

“We regret the impact on our people; however, we must make these difficult decisions in order to move our businesses forward and position them for long-term growth,” he said.

In addition to exhausts, struts and shocks, Tenneco also makes vibration-control systems, steering stabilizers, catalytic converters and engine mounts.

For more information, contact www.tenneco-automotive.com.