ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 1, 1993                   TAG: 9309010221
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short

RADFORD INTERMET SAFE DESPITE LYNCHBURG LOSS

Intermet Corp. has announced plans to close one of its two foundries in Lynchburg, but a company spokeswoman said the shutdown will have "no major impact" on the two Intermet plants in Radford.

The Atlanta-based company will close its Lower Basin factory in Lynchburg, which employs 660 workers, by the end of the year.

The company will continue to operate its 684-employee Archer Creek facility in Lynchburg as well as its two Radford plants.

Company spokeswoman Jan Toennisson said several factors led to the decision to close the Lower Basin factory.

It is Intermet's oldest factory, she said, and needed $7 million in improvements to meet environmental regulations.

Intermet's two installations in Radford are a Lynchburg Foundry plant with about 275 workers and New River Castings Co., which employs about 175.

Intermet is in the final stages of a $20 million expansion of New River Castings that is expected to add 75 jobs. The Lynchburg Foundry plant in Radford, however, laid off 105 workers in December 1991.

Toennisson said Intermet will meet with United Steelworkers union officials to discuss alternatives for workers who will lose jobs. 


 by CNB