Martinsville plant to lay off 84

Harman-Becker Automotive Systems, one of Morgan County’s largest employers, will begin reducing its Martinsville plant operations by eliminating 24 jobs next week, and ultimately eliminating 84 jobs, the Reporter-Times of Martinsville reports today.

The D.C.-based company makes high-performance audio, entertainment, information and communication systems for the automotive and aftermarket industry with five U.S. locations, including Martinsville.

Sixty of Harman’s estimated 250 hourly employees probably will be laid off when parts are moved to a Juarez, Mexico, production facility, the paper reported.

The job losses are permanent and more employees could be affected when additional production is moved to a facility in China.

Company representatives said they could not comment further until negotiations are complete.

The company has nearly 500 employees at its Martinsville plant.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... S/70201035