TRAVERSE CITY — Tower Automotive LLC will close its Traverse City plant impacting more than 350 hourly and salaried workers at the facility.
Tower announced the closing Friday morning, blaming the shutdown on "reduced automotive industry demand in North America" according to a statement issued by the company.
"These are difficult decisions, particularly because they affect our hardworking colleagues, but they are a necessary part of responding effectively to rapidly changing market forces," said Bill Pumphrey, Tower Automotive's president of the Americas.
Company spokesman Joe Kirik said Tower has not determined a specific date for the plant's shutdown. The company said the local plant's production will be consolidated into other Tower facilities in the U.S., with the transition to be determined "within the next few weeks."
The move will impact 318 hourly employees and 40 salaried workers at the operation, 45 of whom are already on layoff. The Traverse City plant produces small stampings and assemblies for various auto companies. It is located on Hughes Dr. in Garfield Township.
Tower employs more than 11,000 workers in 39 plants in 13 different countries. The company is headquartered in Novi.






