AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE (12/19/25)

DECEMBER 19, 2025 — OHIO PLANT SHUTDOWN

The company has announced the closure of its New Lexington, Ohio, plant. The plant will begin shutting down around February 6, 2026, with full closure expected by July 1, 2027.

The closure will impact 228 employees.

According to a spokesperson, “Cooper Standard is continually analyzing plant utilization and looking for opportunities to optimize our manufacturing footprint and overall operating efficiency. As a result, the Company has made the difficult decision to close our New Lexington, Ohio facility.”

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 — Original post

Novi, Michigan-based Cooper Standard Automotive, a supplier of systems and components for the automotive industry, has announced the layoff of 86 employees at the company's Surgoinsville, Tennessee plant.

Cooper Standard was named a GM Supplier of the Year by General Motors in June 2020 for the company's production of high-quality fuel and brake systems for the Colorado, Canyon, Acadia, and Cadillac XT5.

Cooper Standard Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Edwards noted, "We believe the challenging market conditions that have persisted for the last 18 to 24 months are the new normal for the auto industry. In an environment of slow to negative growth, we have to be more focused than ever before on improving efficiency, providing world-class quality service and innovation to customers, and driving the business to improve cash flow and returns on invested capital. And, we are. In addition to the facility closures, the company is in the midst of a strategic review process to consider alternatives for other unprofitable operations. Details will be provided as decisions are finalized."

According to the company's second-quarter posting, "The Company remains focused on reducing ongoing costs through improved operating efficiency and the further rightsizing of its operating footprint and overhead expenses. As previously announced, two manufacturing facilities were scheduled to be closed in 2020. During the second quarter, an additional technical facility was added to the list of planned closures in 2020. One of the manufacturing plant closures has been completed. The closure of the second manufacturing facility and the technical facility are on track to be completed later this year."

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. 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?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT AIRTEX-ASC

North Canton, Ohio-based Airtex-ASC, a division of Cleveland, Ohio-based Trico Group that produces automotive water pumps and fuel delivery systems, has announced the permanent closure of its Green, Ohio facility and transfer its operations to other Trico facilities in Ohio, Texas, and Kentucky.

The restructuring efforts will result in 161 layoffs commencing in October, 2020. This will be the second round of layoffs in 2020.

A company spokesperson noted, "The decision to re-align operations was not arrived at lightly, but it is part of an effort to strengthen Airtex-ASC’s position as a market leader, amid unprecedented economic disruption and uncertainty."

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. 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?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT MCNEILUS TRUCK

Dodge Center, Minnesota-based McNeilu Truck, a s manufacturer os specialty concrete transport and refuse collection vehicles. has announced that it will be structuring to respond to marketplace demand and to explore additional opportunities. Over 200 employees will be impacted as the company shifts concrete mixer production to the company's other facilities.

According to a company spokesperson, "We have made multiple announcements that are part of our strategy to strengthen our business and optimize our core business platforms toward continued market growth and leadership. We will be consolidating the production of concrete mixers from our Dodge Center facility into our other North American mixer production facilities. Additionally, we announced the sale of our CON-E-CO business.

"This will allow us to unlock capacity so we can expand world-class manufacturing in Dodge Center for refuse collection vehicles, superior customer experiences and support as well as mixer research & development."

"As we continually evaluate our businesses to ensure our products, services and industries align with our strategic vision, we believe these changes will allow us to even better serve our customers and tailor our investments to best meet the needs of the future."

"These changes will have an impact team members. These decisions are never easy to make but are in the long term best interest of the Company. We are committed to supporting our those impacted team members with a comprehensive transition program including outplacement assistance and coordination with the Minnesota Workforce Development to assist with their job search."

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. 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?