Foothill Ranch-based Kaiser Aluminum Corp. said Thursday that it would cut back on operations at its Bellwood, Va. Plant.
The company is laying off 56 workers at the plant by the early third quarter, according to a release.
It will also shutdown operations in Bellwood for the month of July.
About $5 million in charges for employee benefits and asset related costs are expected, Kaiser said.
Kaiser shapes aluminum into custom pieces for the defense and auto industries.
The Bellwood plant makes drive shaft tubes for the auto industry, which has been hit harder than other parts of its business.
Kaiser and other aluminum products companies have seen a drop in demand along with a steep fall in the price of aluminum in the past year.
The company also anticipates shutting down operations at its Anglesey plant in Britain by September.
Last December it announced plans to close its Tulsa, Okla., plant while cutting production in Bellwood, Va.
Earlier last year the company completed a $139 million expansion of its Trentwood facility in Spokane, Wash., where it makes products for planes.
