Quality Springs/Togo shifts operations to Tennessee closes Coldwater plant

Dec 14, 2023

COLDWATER — A shift in the auto industry will bring the closure of the Quality Spring/Togo manufacturing plant, 355 Jay St., Coldwater by Sept. 30.

The company notified its 93 employees Friday that it will phase out local operations.

In a statement issued by the company, the company said, "QST is closing the Coldwater facility because QST customers either no longer require many of the parts it manufactures or are phasing out many of the parts it makes due to the future Electric Vehicle market."

The company statement also cited, "Some of the parts QST manufactures are more efficiently produced in other facilities which are closer to the customer locations."

Quality Springs/Togo opened a $11.3 million manufacturing plant in Portland, Tennessee, in 2019 as part of that state's economic development plan for automotive.

According to the Nashville Tennessean, four other Japanese firms are also located in Portland. The report said the company would produce hose clamps, springs, and other items.

QST in Coldwater said, "QST is proud of its employees and will provide employees a fair and respectful severance package as QST phases down and closes."

The company said in its release, "QST and the UAW will bargain a fair and respectful severance package for the QST unionized employees."

Founded in 1940 in Coldwater, Quality Spring became a division of the Kuhlman Corporation in 1964. The company later formed a joint venture partnership with Togo Seisakusyo Corporation of Nagoya, Japan.

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---Contact Don Reid: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @DReidTDR