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Deckerville Metal Systems, formerly Trim Trends, has informed its workers, village government and Michigan Works! of its intention to end operations.

The factory, which manufactures stamped and rolled metal forms for the automotive industry, will begin laying off 20 employees in June and close in September, said Gerard Gonos, general manager.

"I'm just sick about it," said longtime Village Clerk Audrey Stolicker. "This is just terrible, just terrible."

"Deckerville lost a great deal of business the last few years downtown Ð now factories," said Paul Nutzmann, owner of Deckerville Building Center.

"Employees that lose jobs in our community won't have money to purchase goods from businesses in our community. Not just our community, it will hurt Sandusky, Carsonville, Port Sanilac (where the factory workers live). Devastating outcome. We all know it's all automotive related."

The plant, which underwent a multi-million dollar expansion about three years ago to accommodate new stamping equipment, will close completely Sept. 30, Gonos stated.

Employees learned the bad news last Wednesday. Deckerville officials and Michigan Works! were supposed to be notified in writing on Monday.

A limited number of employees will have job opportunities at three other plants owned by the parent company, Global Automotive Systems of Royal Oak.

Equipment from the Deckerville factory, located on Stoutenburg Street in the industrial park, will be shipped to plants in Roseville and Milan, Michigan, and Lexington, Kentucky.

Gonos said the factory closing is part of a consolidation caused by falling demand for automotive parts. He said Global Automotive Systems, which was formed through the purchase of three bankrupted businesses including Trim Trends, opted to close the Deckerville facility because of the "significant investment" required to increase capacity there, compared to the other plants.

Dcckerville Metal Systems is the second factory in Sanilac County to announce lay offs in as many weeks.

Llink Technologies of Brown City, which is also tied to the auto industry, will pink slip 40 to 60 workers - out of a total force of 130 - in May.

"Oh cripes. Ouch," said County Commission Chairman John Merriman, upon hearing the news about the Deckerville plant.

"They've talked about it (closing) for years. Always seemed like they'd get their second wind and go again. Sorry to hear that."

Merriman, a retired dairy farmer in the Deckerville area, added, "That a shame for folks who work there. A shame for Deckerville. A shame for the county. I don't know where it's going to end. That's got to be devastating."