Inergy to Keep Most of ACH Milan Workers

Ever since the automotive crisis of 2009 struck the American industry, the people that make up the workforce in this sector have begun fearing any rumor or whisper of acquisition or sale. In 2009, such an action, and at the same time the lack off it, meant layoffs.

As Ford continues to get rid of the assets of Automotive Components Holdings (ACH), last weeks announcement of the sale of ACH's blow-molded fuel tank business to Inergy Automotive Systems sent chills down the backs of some 500 people. At the time of the announcement, neither Ford nor Inergy made any real commitment to keep the company's workforce.

This week, Ford's spokeswoman Della DiPietro stepped up and said that Inergy would keep most of the workers currently employed by ACH. Even so, it's not exactly clear how the transition of the workforce will be made.

Once Inergy becomes the new owner of the operation, it plans to shut it down and relocate it to a new facility in builds in Michigan. That new plant, however, won't be ready sooner than three years.

Inergy operates three other plants in North America and has a total workforce of about 4,000 people. Its main area of business is the manufacturing of fuel tanks and systems.

The business it will buy from Ford was one of ACH's last. ACH was born in 2005, and comprised 17 automotive components factories and 6 research and testing operated, all owned until that time by Visteon. Of that, ACH currently owns only five plants, including the on in Milan. Another plant, the one in Indianapolis, will be closed sometime in the following 12 months.