Musashi plant in Bennettsville to close, 157 lose jobs

Musashi South Carolina Inc. in Bennettsville will close its doors for good by the end of the year, leaving more than 150 people out of work.

Ravonda John, human resources manager for the company, said in March the company was considering the cost benefits of moving the lines to Japan.

“Associates were notified Monday about the plant’s closing,” John said Tuesday. “All production work will conclude by the end of October and all shipping will end by late December.”

John said 157 employees will lose their jobs by the end of the year.

“The poor economy was the major factor in the decision to close the operation,” she said.

The company’s all-terrain vehicle line accounted for about 60 jobs in the Pee Dee and moved at the end of April. ATV assembly was slated to move in August or September, John said.

In January, 54 workers at the plant were laid off, according to the Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership.

John said company associates were warned in March of the possible closure.

Musashi South Carolina Inc. was established Oct. 25, 1999. The 120,000-square-foot main plant and 10,000-square-foot assembly plant were built on 40.4 acresnear Bennettsville, according to the company’s Web site.

The company produces ATV gears and assemblies and automotive differential gears.