By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Nearly 400 jobs will be lost when an auto parts manufacturing plant in Elma closes three years from now.
Officials of Continental AG informed employees yesterday that local manufacturing will cease by 2009. Continental purchased the Elma plant from Motorola six months ago.
Elma Town Supervisor Mike Nolan says he was shocked and disappointed by the decision.
The work done at the Elma plant will be moved to Asia. Nolan says it's another example of the impact globalization is having on US manufacturing.
In a written statement, officials of Continental admitted the emergence of lower-cost producers is driving the restructuring of virtually the entire auto industry. They did say employees of the Elma plant will be offered severance and transitional services. Some may even be offered positions at other Continental plants in the US.