GE-owned LM Wind Power is closing its turbine blade plant in Little Rock in the US state of Arkansas in a move affecting about 470 workers.
The closure of the factory is down to commercial demand factors and not the coronavirus pandemic, according to a statement from parent group GE Renewable Energy.
Little Rock makes 44.1-metre and 62.2-metre blades.
A GE spokesperson said: “Due to declining demand for the specific blades made at the Little Rock facility and the need to streamline operations, GE Renewable Energy today announced that we will close our LM Wind Power site in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“We understand that this is a difficult time to announce this decision and are taking a number of steps to provide additional support for our employees during this time, including continued pay for a minimum of four months.”
Employees will also get health insurance premiums paid for another six months to see them through to the end of 2020.
The closure of Little Rock is a reversal for the plant, which was the subject of an expansion programme as recently as 2017.
GE bought Denmark-based LM Wind Power in 2017 in a $1.65bn deal.
