Federal Mogul expected to close

MALDEN, Mo. -- A major Bootheel employer is expected to shut down soon.

Federal Mogul of Malden, which employs about 400 people, announced to employees Thursday the company is completing a study on closing the plant. Sources said an announcement of the closing is expected by Dec. 1.

Fran Lundy, quality and environmental manager of the plant, said the decision by Federal Mogul is strictly an economic one. Lundy said the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, and closing the plant will trim costs.

"They will be moving the Malden plant to a Mexico plant," Lundy said Friday. "It will take two years to get it all done."

Federal Mogul has 150 manufacturing plants in 25 countries serving the automotive, industrial and small-engine markets. The company manufactures engine bearings, pistons, piston rings, gaskets, engine and transmission seals and other goods under the band names Champion, Fel-Pro, Wagner, Anco, Moog, Sealed Power and others.

Lundy said the announcement wasn't totally unexpected "because of the way business has been."

"The corporation was doing things to keep the doors open," he said. "It's a real blow to the area."

Federal Mogul began its automotive piston manufacturing operation in Malden in 1963.

The company has grown to become Malden's largest employer. The Malden site also serves as one of Federal Mogul's largest warehouse facilities.

The plant completed a $4.5 million expansion in 1999. Last year, it implemented production of a new heavy duty piston used in large engines.

Federal Mogul told plant employees the closing is due to economic decline and has nothing to do with their production.