Fire at Magna plant; production affected
Canadian Plastics
Automotive Automotive: MaterialsA fire destroyed part of a Magna International parts plant in Howell, Mich., affecting production at several U.S. auto operations and threatening production at plants in Ontario.
A fire destroyed part of a Magna International parts plant in Howell, Mich., affecting production at several U.S. auto operations and threatening production at plants in Ontario.
The fire, which broke out on March 2 and continued to burn until March 3, cancelled production shifts at two U.S. assembly plants and made changes at several others.
There were no reports of injuries as a result of the three-alarm blaze. The fire reportedly began near a spray urethane cell, although investigators haven’t determined what started it.
The 187,000-square-foot Howell plant employs approximately 460 workers, who produce dashboards, door panels and other interior items for Ford Motor Co., General Motors, Chrysler LLC, Nissan and Mazda.
On March 4, GM confirmed that the second and third shifts at its assembly plant in Lansing Delta Township, Mich., will go on temporary layoff starting Monday, March 7.
As of March 4, Ford and Chrysler said they didn’t have production issues related to the fire, but were monitoring the situation. Chrysler said the parts plant makes interior components for its Toledo North Assembly Plant in Ohio; and Canadian plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ont.
