Kwikset Closing Georgia Plant
Lock maker Kwikset Corp., a Lake Forest-based unit of Black & Decker Corp., plans to shutter a Georgia plant and move production to Merical, Mexico, in a bid to cut costs.
The 175,000-square-foot plant in Waynesboro east of Atlanta makes doorknobs and deadbolt locks. It is set to stop production by the end of 2003 and close in early 2004. About 550 people are set to lose their jobs.
In 2000, Kwikset closed its Anaheim plant and moved production to Fort Mill, S.C. At the same time, Black & Decker reorganized its hardware and home improvement group in Lake Forest.
,Angela Cohen
