ArvinMeritor to Move Oklahoma Plant Operations to Mexico

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eavy-duty components maker ArvinMeritor said Wednesday will move the shock and strut portion of its manufacturing operations from its Chickasha, Okla., facility to Mexico to cut costs.

The company said in a statement that it met with its employees Wednesday to discuss the transfer plans, which will cut 270 full-time and temporary jobs at the Chickasha plant.

The transfer of the operations to Queretaro, Mexico, will start this month and be completed in November, ArvinMeritor said in a statement.

“Transferring operations within our business group improves our ability to compete,” said Rob Malone, vice president of the company’s light vehicle aftermarket unit. “Current market conditions require tough decisions.”

ArvinMeritor said last November that it planned to divest the light vehicle aftermarket business to focus on the original equipment automotive and commercial truck markets.

The company said it plans to maintain packaging, distribution, receiving, returns processing, design engineering and rod manufacturing operations at Chickasha.