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"Basically, a preliminary recommendation has been made to close the site, but it's only a recommendation at this point," Plant Manager Drew May said.

DURA spokesperson Shawn Brumbaugh echoed that sentiment and said the company is still in discussion.

"A preliminary recommendation has been made to close our Mancelona, Michigan facility, although no decision has been made at this point," Brumbaugh said in a written statement. "We are in the process of discussing the recommendation with the union representing the production employees in Mancelona."

Ê The Mancelona location is a 173,000-square-foot facility that employs over 200 people, one of the biggest employers in Antrim County.

DURA declared bankruptcy in October 2006 and in April 2007 announced its plan to sell the facility in Mancelona as part of what the company calls its 50-cubed restructuring plan (which also included closure of several plants in other parts of the country).

According to Brumbaugh, the company stopped proactively trying to sell the Mancelona facility in November 2007.

"DURA's been in the process of a 50-cubed restructuring plan and that involves moving production to the best locations to ensure the company's global competitiveness and long- term success," Brumbaugh told the Antrim County News.

DURA drafted a letter earlier this week informing the union of the recommendation to close the facility and relocate those operations, and asking for input before any decision is made.

"The recommendation was made based on the company's need to improve its cost structure to meet the reality of an extremely competitive global marketplace for automotive suppliers," Brumbaugh said.

Hadley Robinson can be reached at hrobinson@michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-533-8523.