Gulfstream to close Oklahoma City plant

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. will close its Oklahoma City plant by the end of the year and will lay off the 350 people who work there. <br><br>``Actions to close the Oklahoma plant will

Wednesday, February 6th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. will close its Oklahoma City plant by the end of the year and will lay off the 350 people who work there.

``Actions to close the Oklahoma plant will take place in a phased program starting in early April with complete closing expected by year-end,'' the company said.

The Georgia-based company, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, notified employees Wednesday that the layoffs will occur in the coming months, said spokesman Robert Baugniet.

Plant employees include 100 salaried workers and 250 members of United Auto Workers Local 2130. The employees do sheet metal work and assemble tail fins for the Gulfstream IV-SP, the company's best-selling long-range business jet.

``Following an extensive review of our 50-year-old facilities in Oklahoma, we determined that the sheet metal and Gulfstream IV-SP vertical fin assembly work carried out there could be performed more cost effectively in our more modern facilities,'' said Bill Boisture, Gulfstream president and chief operating officer.

``We are continually seeking ways to remain competitive and become more efficient.''

Gulfstream bought the Oklahoma plant in 1981. The company said it would work closely with the Airport Trust Authority to identify potential tenants to lease the buildings.

A Gulfstream plant in Savannah, Ga., will do the work formerly done at the Oklahoma plant.