Timken to close Clinton, S.C., plant

The Timken Company has announced plans to close its Clinton, S.C., plant—with production being phased down over the next two years. The company said that the decision is part of an ongoing program to increase competitiveness of its Automotive Group by reducing fixed costs and creating more focused factories across its automotive product portfolio. This action is part of the previously announced restructuring of the company's Automotive Group.

The products from the Clinton plant will be integrated into other facilities throughout Timken's manufacturing base. The company said it expects to continue manufacturing the vast majority of these products in the U.S. It also said that many of the Clinton plant employees will be offered job opportunities at other Timken manufacturing plants as production is phased down at the Clinton plant.

The Clinton plant produces components and bearings for automotive powertrain and chassis applications. The plant also manufactures bearings for industrial applications, such as transmissions and outboard engines.

The Clinton plant opened in 1961 as part of The Torrington Company. In 2003, Timken acquired Torrington.

Timken initiated the Automotive Group restructuring at the end of July, and it expects to announce further actions related to the restructuring in the next few months.