Celestica to close Arden Hills parts plant, cutting 590 jobs

Article by: CHRIS SERRES , Star Tribune
Updated: January 28, 2009 - 9:05 PM

Citing reduced demand for its products, the Toronto-based company will eliminate 440 full-time jobs and 150 contract jobs in Arden Hills.

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Celestica Inc. will close its circuit board-assembly plant in Arden Hills, eliminating 590 jobs.

Citing reduced demand for its products, the Toronto-based company will cut 440 full-time jobs and 150 contract positions at the Arden Hills facility, which assembles computer parts. Celestica will close the plant by November, and workers there will not be offered jobs elsewhere at the company.

A Celestica spokeswoman said that the company "tried hard" to avoid layoffs by cutting costs and looking to bring new business to the facility. "Despite those efforts, a decision was made to close the operation," spokeswoman Adrienne Vaughan said.

In 2005, about a dozen workers at Celestica alleged that the company violated their religious freedom by requiring that they pray only during scheduled work breaks.

They also claimed that the company terminated or suspended 15 Muslim employees because of their prayer schedules.

Chris Serres • 612-673-4308