ALBANY, Wis. (AP) -- A manufacturer of industrial heating products plans to shut down its plants at Albany and Orfordville.
Pittsburgh-based Chromalox announced that a company restructuring will force the closing of its Ogden Manufacturing facilities, affecting 80 employees in Albany and 30 in Orfordville.
In a news release, Chromalox said employees were told Tuesday and will have the opportunity to relocate. Production is to move to other plants starting in July.
Albany Village President Larry Hanson said he learned about the closing because his wife has worked for the company for 28 years.
''They kept this a big secret right up until the end,'' Hanson said Wednesday. ''They called my wife at home yesterday while she was on vacation and said they were closing.''
Plans call for the Orfordville move to start in July, with targeted completion in September. The Albany change will begin in August, with targeted completion in December.
''Our Wisconsin plants have been consistent contributors to our success, so the decision to close these facilities is extremely difficult,'' said Jorge Hidalgo, chief operating officer, in a statement. ''However, consolidation of our operations is necessary to maintain our competitive advantage as materials costs rise and market pressures increase.''
