North Bay plant ceases manufacturing(UPDATED)

Midtronics Canada Inc. will be downsizing its North Bay operation. Photo by Phil Novak, BayToday.ca.

Forty to 45 people will lose their jobs in two months when Midtronics Canada Inc. shuts down its North Bay manufacturing operation, BayToday.ca has learned.

Factory manager Eyrk Rivard confirmed the operation will be closing.

Employees were notified yesterday, BayToday.ca has learned, via a letter delivered by a company executive.

"We are ceasing our operation in North Bay June 30," said Midtronics spokesperson Sharon Wagner in a telephone interview.

"It's unfortunate, but we made this decision because of the necessity to remain competitive and because of economic conditions."

The move will affect 40 to 45 of Midtronic's 75 employees.

Canadian distribution and service will still be done out of North Bay, Wagner said.

Midtronics is considering moving some of the North Bay jobs to its headquarters in Willowbrook, Illinoise, Wagner said, and possibly outsourcing the the rest.

"We value our position in the Canadian market and we will take all steps to meet and exceed our customer expectations," Wagner said.

"Canada is a very important market to us."

Midtronics develops and markets technologies for battery charging and maintenance.