Jul. 3—Sonaca North America, previously LMI Aerospace, is shutting down its Wichita plant and leaving the city after 39 years.
The St. Louis-based aerostructures manufacturer expects closure of its 2853 S. Hillside facility to be completed by the end of 2023, leaving most of its 56 Wichita employees out of work.
"This was a very difficult decision to make. It was not made lightly, and the company is cognizant of the impact for its Wichita employees, whose positions will be phased out over the remainder of the year," Sonaca said in a news release.
Several employees have been offered positions at other Sonaca locations, and the company is encouraging workers to apply for open positions across North America, including the Mexicali, Mexico, plant where much of the Wichita operations will be transferred.
Sonaca closed its other Wichita facility, a sheet-metal fabrication plant, in 2016. The company has had a presence in the city since 1984.
"Our leadership team has been very focused on creating and deciding on different scenarios to further strengthen Sonaca North America's position in the aerospace market in a way that ensures longevity, competitiveness and growth for our company in the long term," CEO Kevin Goossens is quoted as saying in the news release.
Sonaca's customers include Boeing, Gulfstream and Spirit AeroSystems. A spokesperson for the company told The Eagle that Sonaca will continue supplying Spirit after its Wichita plant closes.
This story was originally published July 3, 2023, 11:56 AM.
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