Ficosa in Berne closing, 137 jobs eliminated

BERNE, Ind. (WANE) - Ficosa North America Corporation has notified the Indiana Department of Workforce Development that it will close its Berne plant on or around May 31.

The closure will end employment for all 137 employees at the plant, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN).

The notice said if Ficosa is successful in selling the plant, some employees could retain jobs if the new owner offers employment opportunities or retains employees as part of new operations.

The first phase of reduction will begin May 2.

Ficosa said operations from the Berne plant will be shifted to other facilities around North America.

In July 2011, Ficosa laid off 175 workers as part of a workforce reduction at the same facility.

Ficosa makes several different types of parts and components for a variety of automakers.