Tower Phasing Out Greenville Jobs

GREENVILLE — Tower Automotive today announced plans to reduce production at its Greenville plant, which will affect approximately 135 of the facility's 300 workers.

Tower intends to move manual stamping operations and related weld assemblies from Greenville to plants in Elkton, Mich., and Kendallville, Ind., where automation capabilities already exist.

Tom Pitser, head of Tower's North American division, said the action will enable the Greenville facility to concentrate on higher-margin business in progressive stampings and "complex, value-added assemblies."

"The manual operations at Greenville are no longer cost effective and hinder our ability to stay competitive at this facility," Pitser said. "This decision reflects our strategic goal to boost the company's operational and financial performance."

He said the Greenville jobs will be phased out by January.

Tower is a global designer and producer of vehicle structural components and assemblies used by every major vehicle manufacturer.