Around 180 employees will be affected by the closing of Progressive Molded Products in Saint Joseph. Progressive is a second-tier supplier to the automotive industry that makes plastic consoles. Cyndra Lorey is the Executive Director of Business Relations and Development for the Area Chamber of Commerce. Lorey says 80-percent of the company's problems can be blamed on the failing automotive industry. Lorey says the corporate offices located in Canada have already began laying people off. The Saint Joseph plant was alerted on Monday and the local Rapid Response and Dislocated Worker Service providers have been contacted. Lorey says the company hopes to keep operations going through end of month, but it could close within two weeks.
