Enkei America Inc. filed a notice with the state saying it is closing its North Jacksonville wheelmaking plant, resulting in the layoff of 62 employees.
“This action is occurring as the result of ongoing labor recruitment and retention challenges, coupled with continued high operating and maintenance costs, which have made it increasingly difficult to sustain stable and cost-effected production,” Enkei said in a June 24 letter to state officials under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
Enkei opened the plant in 2000 at 1401 Wheels Road, northwest of Interstate 95 and I-295.
Japan-based Enkei Corp. was founded in 1950 and describes itself on its website as “the number one aluminum wheel manufacturer to satisfy demand from leading automakers and aftermarket wheel users around the world.”
The company’s Enkei America subsidiary was founded in Columbus, Indiana, in 1985. Enkei Florida was established in Jacksonville in 1997 and the plant had its grand opening in 2000, according to the website.
Enkei said in the WARN letter the termination of 62 jobs is expected to occur Aug. 30.