Released on September 17, 2009

ThyssenKrupp Waupaca Inc., Waupaca, Wis., announced it plans to idle its Etowah, Tenn., facility indefinitely starting Jan. 1, 2010.

According to a ThyssenKrupp spokesperson, the planned idling is a result of the current economic climate.

“There are two reasons,” spokesperson Matt Rhodes said. “One is the continuing slump we’re seeing in the automotive and heavy truck markets. The other is a downturn in order volume at Etowah.”

Rhodes said that ThyssenKrupp plans to keep the Etowah plant in working order after the idling, with a small maintenance crew and security personnel on hand, to prepare for a quick restart when and if the market for its products rebounds. In the meantime, the products currently being made at the facility will be available from the company’s five other plants.

According to a source who didn’t wish to be named, the idling was announced to Etowah employees the morning of Sept. 17 by ThyssenKrupp CEO Gary Gigante. Rhodes said that of the 243 hourly and 43 salaried workers at the facility, 50% would be offered reassignment to either the company’s Tell City, Ind., or Waupaca facilities.

Between now and Jan. 1, 2010, “personnel decisions will have to be worked out, and the steps that need to be taken to idle a plant will be taken,” Rhodes said.