Last week, Mahle Engine Components USA (a division of Mahle GmbH, Germany) formally shut down its Clevite thinwall engine bearing and strip manufacturing plant in Caldwell, Ohio.

Although Caldwell's closing was announced in January 2008, Mahle at the time said Caldwell would remain open through the end of 2009. But the economic reality of a collapsing automotive market forced Mahle to shutter Caldwell sooner than expected.

article: Mahle closing Caldwell bearing plant
Originally part of Cleveland Graphite Bronze, later Gould, later Imperial Clevite, Caldwell was one of three engine bearing plants Mahle acquired from Dana Corp. in March 2007. At the time, Caldwell employed 332 people.

Just 150 workers remained when Caldwell shut down for good last week. 100 lost their jobs then, and the last 50 are staying on as a skeleton "mop up" crew through the end of July.

Strip production is moving to Mahle's plant in McConnelsville, Ohio. Remaining heavywall bearing production is moving to Mahle's plant in Atlantic, Iowa.

By a not-so-cosmic coincidence, Daido closed Caldwell's sister plant in Bellefontaine at the same time last week, also leaving 50 on board to mop up.

article: Daido closing Bellefontaine bearing plant


The history of post-2000 Caldwell on eBearing:

2004 article: Dana divests aftermarket group, except bearings

2005 article: Dana and Daido disband U.S. engine bearing joint venture

2005 article: Dana seeks buyer for engine bearing and components business

2006 article: Dana sells engine bearing and components business to Mahle
( includes significant business history and plant details )

2008 article: Mahle closing Caldwell bearing plant

DISCLAIMER: Over 30 years ago, this author's first bearing industry exposure came via undergraduate part-time engineering positions with Cleveland Graphite Bronze / Gould / Imperial Clevite Engine Parts Division, which at one time operated all of the plants mentioned in this article. The author has worked in all of these facilities -- and several others also now shuttered -- and appreciates just how much hard work the men and women put into producing quality strip and bearings in these plants.