Production has slowed at Mercedes-Benz in Vance as a result of a factory fire in Michigan. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com). Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com
The effects of a Michigan auto supply plant fire have now hit a Birmingham supplier of Mercedes-Benz in Vance.
MISA, a subsidiary of Marubeni-Itochu Steel, is cutting some shifts as a result of a production slowdown at Mercedes. The plant, located on Sterilite Drive, has cut to one shift a day, according to Vice President of Human Resources & General Affairs Hugh Thatcher.
“There have been some impacts, and we’ve had to slow down production as a result,” Thatcher said. “We’re still working to find out how long.”
Thatcher said the company is attempting to give employees some flexibility in options.
A May 2 fire at the Magnesium Parts of America’s plant in Eaton Rapids, Mich. started the chain of events that has slowed down auto production for Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler.
That same fire shut down SUV production at Mercedes-Benz in Alabama for the GLE, GLE Coupé and GLS last Thursday and Friday after the plant ran out of cockpit crossmembers, the part which holds the vehicle’s dashboard, air conditioning unit and navigation system.
The company announced last week that all MBUSI employees would be given the opportunity to work this week based on a modified production schedule.
MISA Metal Processing, headquartered in Portland, Tenn., produces light and heavy gauge slitting of flat roll steel and processing of steel and aluminum.
Meridian Magnesium Products of America intends to have its entire complex rebuilt and reopened in four months. Portions of the plant have reopened as work crews clear debris. It may be the beginning of June before all customers are getting products from the plant.