Seating-parts plant in Archbold to close

11/16/2005

ARCHBOLD - Leggett & Platt Inc.'s Young Spring & Wire Division plant, which makes automotive seating components, will close by May 15, eliminating 136 hourly, 26 management, and 7 clerical jobs. Hourly wages average about $16 an hour, a company official said.

Leggett & Platt, of Carthage, Mo., said the plant, which it acquired in 1990, is being closed to consolidate production into fewer facilities. The company also is closing a 213-employee components plant in Mason, Ohio, near Cincinnati.

In 2002, the firm was granted a local long-term tax abatement to save it $48,650 in village and county taxes in return for a $625,000 investment in equipment and renovations. The company said at that time it might expand. In 1997, the Archbold Chamber of Commerce gave the company an outstanding accomplishments award.