MARSHALL, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — Charles Industries has announced that they will close their Marshall metal fabrication plant and relocate operations to their Casey location this spring.
In a statement, Charles Industries Vice President of Operations Dominic Imbrogno said the reason for the closure is due to waning demand for the products made at the Marshall location.
“Unfortunately, the traditional products built in Marshall – load coils, cable stubs as well as transformer products – staples of Charles Industries for many years, have been discontinued in the past 6-12 months,” Imbrogno said. “Demand for these products has waned and there is limited need for them in today’s telecommunication network.”
Imbrogno further explained that the Marshall and Casey locations had been operated as sister facilities for some time now, with management splitting their time between locations.
“With the discontinuation of the aforementioned products, combining the Marshall and Casey operations will provide a more streamlined operation that best serves our customers,” Imbrogno said.
Imbrogno said the Casey building was chosen to house the combined operation due to having a better overall layout. 85% of employees will be relocated to the Casey plant.
“The Marshall facility has been part of Charles Industries’ operation for over 50 years. The people of Marshall have been wonderful, and the town has been extremely supportive in our time there,” Imbrogno said.
Imbrogno said the transition will occur over the next couple of months with equipment and personnel relocating gradually. The Marshall plant is expected to fully shut down by the middle of May.
Read the full statement from Charles Industries below;
The Marshall facility has been part of Charles Industries operation for over 50 years. The people of Marshall have been wonderful, and the town has been extremely supportive in our time there. Unfortunately, the traditional products built in Marshall – load coils, cable stubs as well as transformer products – staples of Charles Industries for many years, have been discontinued in the past 6-12 months. Demand for these products has waned and there is limited need for them in today’s telecommunication network. This leaves a metal fabrication operation that supports several other active Charles products.
The plants at Marshall and Casey have been run as sister facilities with some operations in Marshall, some in Casey and a management staff that splits their time between facilities. With the discontinuation of the afore mentioned products, combining the Marshall and Casey operations will provide a more streamlined operation that best serves our customers. The combined operation will be in located in Casey, as the building has an overall better layout for the combined operation. We are relocating 85% of the jobs in Marshall to Casey.
Over the next few months, a transition will occur. Equipment will be moved between the end of March and early May. As equipment is moved, personnel will be relocated. We anticipate the plant closure by the middle of May.
Dominic Imbrogno, Vice President of Operations
