LMI Aerospace To Close Wichita Sheet-metal Fabrication Operation - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - LMI Aerospace Inc. (LMIA), a supplier of structural assemblies, kits and components to aerospace markets, Wednesday said it will close its Wichita, Kan., sheet-metal fabrication operation by the end of September.

The company noted that the plant's core work statement was impacted by significant decline on legacy large commercial widebody and business and regional jet platforms.

Equipment and work packages will be transferred in phases between now and the end of September.

LMI Aerospace Chief Operating Officer Joe DeMartino, said, "A large part of the work statement performed at the Wichita-Esthner facility has been sheet-metal fabrication work on legacy platforms in the large commercial widebody and business and regional jet markets. With customer demand on these platforms declining significantly, and in a competitive pricing environment we had to make the difficult decision to close this operation and move its remaining work statement to our facility in Mexicali, Mexico."

The affected 36 employees and temporary workers at Wichita-Esthner will be helped to identify opportunities available elsewhere in the company.

The company has operated in Wichita since 1984, and will continue to do so through its Wichita-Hillside machining operation.