Modine Manufacturing Company has announced conditional plans to close its manufacturing plant in Washington. A closure would impact about 245 full-time employees. Margaret Kelsey with Modine Manufacturing in Wisconsin, tells KCII News that Modine has agreed contractually to have a discussion with the union in respects to the closing of the plant and process.

She adds when the discussions are concluded a final decision will be made. Kelsey said, “Modine has not made any definitive decision at this time because (they) have to take this step and discuss it with the union.” She adds there isn’t a defined time frame for these talks and she wouldn’t foreshadow the results of discussions with the union, but she did say that after analysis they “believe this is the inevitable conclusion.”

The financial impact of the closure is anticipated to save the company $9 million annually once the closure is complete in fiscal year 2018. Kelsey adds, the decision was “driven, unfortunately, by the fact that this facility has simply become uncompetitive when compared to our global competition” and Modine is doing “the best for our shareholders.”