Expansion Management

Tenneco to Close Manufacturing Plant in Sweden

Sept. 18, 2012

Weak market in European region affecting company’s aftermarket emissions control sales.

Last week, Tenneco Inc. (IW 1000/565) announced that it will close its emission control plant in Vittaryd.

The decision was in response to weak market conditions throughout the European region, which has negatively impacted the company’s aftermarket emissions control sales.

“Declining market conditions require that we consolidate our aftermarket emission control capacity in Europe, which will better align our production with the market and help strengthen our long-term competitiveness,” said Hari Nair, chief operating officer, Tenneco.

The company currently employs about 122 workers.

Tenneco expects to complete the closure in the third quarter of 2013 and production will move to other Tenneco emission control operations in Laval, France; Edenkoben, Germany; Valencia, Spain and Rybnik, Poland, beginning later this year.

Tenneco anticipates annual savings of $4 million beginning in late 2013 as a result of the plant closure.

Tenneco, which is one of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment markets and the aftermarket employs 24,000 globally and has sales of $7.2 billion.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.