A Norwegian-based automotive supplier is moving its South Carolina production facility south of the border to Mexico, according to a statement from the company, the Greenville News reports.
Kongsberg Automotive said the move is necessary due to an extremely competitive supply parts market. The company already has three locations in Mexico.
“A very competitive market in the area of the Easley products has led this plant to an uncompetitive position,” the company said in a statement reported Thursday. “This means there is a strong need to become more efficient and reduce costs, which can only be achieved by relocating the Easley manufacturing operations.”
The closure is part of a larger plan, announced in November 2016, to close six factories, mostly in Europe. The Easley facility manufactures and supplies product for Kongsberg’s fluid transfer systems (FTS) business unit, according to just-auto.com.
The company started as a brake systems supplier for Volvo in 1957. The Easley plant employees 97 people, according to the company.
The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to Kongsberg for comment but did not hear back by press time.
President Donald Trump has publicly shamed companies who have announced plans to move to Mexico. South Carolina hopes to make up for the loss by landing a new Toyota/Mazda facility that the two Japanese companies plan to build in the United States.
South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster said Aug. 24 the state was in the running to land the proposed plant.
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