Closing in fall possible for Maumee Stamping

6/1/2007

Ford Motor Co. could shut its Maumee Stamping Plant as early as September, months ahead of a 2008 closing the company announced last fall.

A company spokesman said no closing date has been decided.

Bob Smotherman, president of United Auto Workers Local 1892, said the closing could occur by fall. The 800,000-squarefoot building has about 375 hourly workers and 40 salaried workers, but all but 70 of the hourly workers have accepted some of the 38,000 buyouts the firm offered nationally, officials said.

The future of the plant is unknown, but UAW officials told The Blade two months ago that the workforce would be down to minimal levels by September.

The factory makes bumper and vehicle body panels.