Magna Donnelly Closing Plants

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. October 17, 2002 the AP reported that auto parts maker Magna Donnelly says it will close two area mirror-making plants and cut one-third of the factories' 414 combined jobs.

The remaining two-thirds of the workers have accepted or will be offered positions at plants in Grand Haven and Kent County's Bowne Township, Magna Donnelly officials said Wednesday.

Of the 414 affected employees, 274 work at a production operation in Kent County's Cascade Township and the other 140 work at a Kentwood painting plant.

The affected workers include 333 nonunionized production and maintenance employees and 81 office workers.

The job cuts and closings are the first changes announced since Magna Donnelly was formed Oct. 1 by the acquisition of Holland-based Donnelly Corp. by Magna International Inc. of Aurora, Ontario.

The plants are scheduled to close by March.

Magna Donnelly has about 3,100 employees in 16 western Michigan locations. Before being acquired, Donnelly had around 2,000.