Dawson Manufacturing closing in Q3 2023

Automotive parts supplier Dawson Manufacturing Company in Benton Harbor has filed notice with the State of Michigan that its entire plant will close this year. The operation at 1042 N Crystal Avenue in Benton Harbor employs approximately 90 people.The closure affects all 90 workers, the majority of whom are hourly employees. The company will give notice to an additional 19 workers who are either part-time with Dawson or will be impacted by the closure. The company’s filing states its first expected date of job losses is Q3 of 2023.

In its state filing, company officials state, “The employment loss will be permanent, and the entire plant is being closed.”The reason for the closure is unclear, though the company stated in its filing that it is due to, “a forthcoming anticipated loss of all business.”According to the company’s website, they were founded in 1989 and in 1993 opened their corporate headquarters and “a modern manufacturing facility” in Benton Harbor.From their website:“Dawson Manufacturing Co. supplies anti-vibration, isolation, noise-reducing and protective molded rubber and rubber-compound to metal components for the automotive industry as well as non-automotive markets.“Our primary focus, however, is in automotive and supplying our main customers, Ford, GM, Chrysler, DTR/Toyota and their Tier 1 suppliers.”