Released on December 17, 2008

West Irving Die Casting Inc., Sandwich, Ill., recently told its employees it will close its doors before the end of 2008, according to local news reports.

Employees at West Irving did not answer several telephone calls or respond immediately to requests for further information on the shutdown. The company, which makes aluminum die castings primarily for automotive customers, reportedly also will close its Owensboro, Ky., facility in the coming weeks.

A company spokesperson told the Beacon News, a Sun-Times News Group company, that West Irving had been losing money for several years. According to the diecaster’s website, West Irving counts General Motors, Aisin Automotive, Ford and Isuzu among its customers. The website indicates the company also makes castings for customers in the telecommunications and power tool industries.