Area layoffs mainly hit plant workers

Several area manufacturers are closing plants, in one case moving the work to Mexico, according to state filings.

Refrigeration equipment firm Krack Corp., a subsidiary of Ingersoll Rand, said it will be moving its operations from Addison to Mexico in August and eliminating 177 jobs in DuPage County.

Krack has been in business for 76 years in the U.S. and in Addison since 1968.

"We have a facility in Monterrey, Mexico that makes similar things," said Paul Dickard, a spokesman for Ingersoll-Rand Climate Control Technologies. "The output (in Addison) was way below what it needed to be viable for the long term."

The state filings come from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which requires employers to provide 60 days advance notice of pending plant closures or mass layoffs, according to its Web site.

Metal fabricator Pentair Electronic Packaging in January plans to cut 108 jobs in Mount Prospect, citing the elimination of manufacturing operations, according to the filings.

Abbott Laboratories is following through on its plans to close its North Chicago liquids and chemicals plants, cutting 101 jobs.

Abbott spokesman Scott Stofel said the unincorporated Libertyville Township-based Abbott announced the closings in fall 2005 and is following through this month. Stofel said the work at those two buildings will be folded into other plants. Another 50 people at those facilities were given jobs elsewhere in the company, he said.

The Dynaflex division facility of Woodbridge Foam Corp. makes foam for car seats in Addison but it too will be closing its Addison plant and cutting 75 jobs, according to the state filings.

Electronic components firm Woodward Controls said it will be consolidating its operations. It is closing its Niles plant and cutting 58 jobs.

Johnson & Johnson said it will be closing its logistics center in Elk Grove Village in January, cutting 64 jobs. Spokeswoman Sandy Pound said it was originally a Pfizer distribution center and was inherited when Pfizer sold one of its units to Johnson & Johnson last year.

And the Illinois Student Assistance Association will be cutting most of 68 jobs from its Deerfield facility. Spokesman Claude Walker said federal legislation will result in $9 million a year in fewer funds to the quasi-autonomous state agency that gives out scholarships, grants and loans.

Walker added the credit crunch and the subprime lending trends are upping its annual borrowing costs by another $6 million a year.