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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowBankrupt manufactured-home builder Patriot Homes Inc. will close a Middlebury plant that employs 125 workers, according to a notice filed with the state.
Elkhart-based Patriot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September, citing financial woes tied to the slumping housing market and tight credit. Before that filing, the company closed seven plants, including four in northern Indiana. It said at the time that it didn’t anticipate additional cuts.
On Friday, the company told employees – and the state Department of Workforce Development – that the Crystal Valley plant in Middlebury will close Jan. 23. Patriot said it has been unable to line up new financing that would keep the facility running, despite conversations with “dozens” of lenders.
The company also has been in talks about a contract to supply manufactured housing for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but no orders have come through yet. If that happens, Patriot said it could reopen the facility.
After the cuts, Patriot will have about 425 employees.
Also Friday, Cleveland-based General Aluminum said it will idle its automotive components plant in Richmond, laying off 84 workers for an undetermined amount of time. Layoffs will begin March 8.
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