Stock Photo | Image Source: wikipedia.org - CREDIT: Siyuwj
Stock Photo | Image Source: wikipedia.org - CREDIT: Siyuwj
Vehicle component and part manufacturer BorgWarner announced it will close its production plant in Frankfort by the end of 2021.
"BorgWarner is making market-driven adjustments to adapt its cost structure in order to remain competitive in the current environment, including restructuring, closure, or consolidation of manufacturing and/or technical centers in all major regions. As a result, the company has decided to close its production facility in Frankfort," BorgWarner told Patch in a confirmation letter.
Patch reports the company declined to give additional information about the future closing or number of employees who work at the plant. Employees were told of the closing in February.
The baseball field on the company's property has been used by the Frankfort Park District. Gina Hassett, executive director of the park district, says the company has sponsored baseball games at its park for years.
"The BorgWarner field has provided generations of Frankfort youth to play the game of baseball," Hassett told Patch. "It is the only Pony-sized field (oldest age group) in the district inventory. If the field was lost, it would impact Frankfort baseball."
Hassett said the park district is interested in evaluating the property if it is up for sale.
"It will be sad to see the Frankfort BorgWarner operation close. BorgWarner has been in Frankfort for many years and are generous to the community," Hassett told Patch. "When the BorgWarner property goes up for sale, the park district would be interested in evaluating the property.
"Staff has not been inside the facility to evaluate the conditions or cost that would be required to renovate the space into recreational use," Hassett told Patch. "There have been other agencies across the state that have reinvented industrial properties into community recreation spaces. It would be important to see if that could be done at BorgWarner."
BorgWarner has plants all over the world. In Illinois, it also has plants in Dixon, Bellwood and Melrose Park. The Frankfort plant was opened more than 40 years ago.
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