FORT SMITH — A factory with more than 100 employees will stop production in Fort Smith.
Fort Smith television station KFSM reported Tuesday that Southern Steel & Wire will halt its manufacturing operation early next year.
The company has been a major supplier to the Whirlpool Corp. refrigerator factory, which has moved much of its Fort Smith production to Mexico.
Southern Steel & Wire has notified its 117 employees. But the company will keep its equipment in the hope that it can reopen after the economy recovers. The business will also keep a small office and sales staff in place.
The factory makes wire shelves and baskets for refrigerators and freezers, plus other similar products.