Collins & Aikman to close Guelph plant

Auto parts manufacturer Collins & Aikman Canada Inc. is closing its Guelph, Ont. plant, putting approximately 500 people out of work.

The date of the closing has not been announced.

The decision is the latest in a series of recent difficulties faced by the company, which has seen a steep decline in its contracts with major automakers. Last year the company began to lay off dozens of employees and went into bankruptcy protection.

Guelph MPP Liz Sandals said Collins & Aikman Canada’s financial difficulties have been known for some time, and she was not surprised to learn of the plant closure.

”It’s always very, very distressing to learn that people are losing their jobs,” Sandals said in a statement. “We are attempting to work with the company and union to try to get the training in place so that people have a better chance of being re-employed.”