GenCorp to close sealing division plant in Ireland

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (Jan. 31)—GenCorp Inc.´s vehicle sealing division subsidiary, Henniges Elastomer und Kunststofftechnik GmbH & Co. K.G., plans to close its automotive components plant in Ballina, Ireland. The shut down at the end of September will cost 170 employees their jobs, the company said. During the last 12 months, the facility returned "an unfavorable operating result due to difficulties in retaining staff and the strength of the Irish punt vs. other currencies," a GenCorp spokeswoman said. The company held discussions with union officials and local government authorities about alternatives for the Ballina plant, she said. While GenCorp seeks restructuring opportunities after its recent acquisition of the Draftex sealing operations, the situation at Henniges was a separate issue, the spokeswoman said.