Rockwell to close plant, lay off 140 in California

The closing of a Rockwell Collins plant in Irvine, Calif., that makes aircraft control systems will eliminate about 140 jobs, the company said.

Rockwell Collins announced last week that it will move the production from the Irvine plant to its other facilities in Mexicali, Mexico; Melbourne, Fla.; Tustin, Calif.; and Calexico, Calif.

About 150 employees will relocate from Irvine to the company's Tustin, Calif., facility.

An additional 140 employees will be laid off in late spring or early summer. They will receive a 60-day notice, beginning in May, the company said.

The closing is because of a business realignment that will place Rockwell Collins' cabin and electromechanical systems businesses into a single business unit.

Rockwell Collins acquired the former Kaiser Electroprecision operation in Irvine, Calif., as part of its acquisition of K Systems Inc. in 2000. Among the plant's principal products were pilot control systems and secondary surface control systems for military and commercial uses.

The closing does not affect another Rockwell Collins plant in Irvine. The Rollmet plant makes precision tubing for use in the energy and petrochemical industries and in jet propulsion.

Rockwell Collins plans to provide on-site support and outplacement service to the Irvine employees.