CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (AP) — American Axle & Manufacturing says it will close its only remaining Buffalo-area plant when the current labor contract expires next February. About 90 jobs will be lost.
The Detroit-based auto parts supplier cites a shift in consumer demand toward vehicles that don't use parts made at the plant and the closing of assembly plants supported by the facility.
Members of UAW 846 overwhelmingly rejected American Axle's proposed labor agreement July 31.
American Axle spokesman Christopher Son said Thursday that if the contract was ratified the plant would have remained open.
When the Cheektowaga facility began operations in 2000, American Axle had 2,800 employees in three western New York plants. The two others, in Buffalo and Tonawanda, have already closed.