Arlington GM supplier to begin laying off 589 workers in June

A supplier to the General Motors assembly plant in Arlington told a state agency that it will begin laying off 589 workers in June at its local facilities.

Android Industries, based in Auburn Hills, Mich., on April 9 filed a notice with the Texas Workforce Commission about the impending layoffs, which it said is about 33 percent of its workforce in Arlington. The layoffs will be done on multiple dates between June 13 and Oct. 24, the notice said.

The layoffs will occur at its locations at 3800 E. Ave E., 3151 E. Pioneer Parkway, 3001 E. Pioneer Parkway, and 3004 E. Randol Mill Road, the notice said.

Additional details regarding the layoffs could not be obtained. Messages left with the company’s Michigan headquarters and a local company representative went unanswered Monday.

Jennie Ecclestone, a GM spokeswoman, said the company does not comment on its suppliers.

The filing was made on the same day the city of Arlington confirmed that GM is considering a $1.2 billion expansion of its 60-year-old assembly plant. The expansion, to be done over three years, would add 1.2 million square feet and a projected 589 jobs.

The company is proposing $307 million in physical improvements and $986 million in new equipment to help modernize the plant, where it builds large sport utility vehicles.

Android Industries has been a supplier to the Arlington GM plant since July 2005 when it replaced TDS Automotive U.S.

In January, the company said it was spending $16.5 million to expand its Detroit plant, creating 131 jobs, according to Crain’s Detroit Business. The Detroit operation provides assembled vehicle modules including front and rear suspensions, brake parts and hood components to GM.

The company would receive a $500,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund and $620,000 in tax exemptions from Detroit, according to reports.

Android Industries was sold in February 2014 by the private equity firm Wynnchurch Capital to Mitsui & Co. and Dundee Corp.

This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Arlington GM supplier to begin laying off 589 workers in June."