Control Products Corp. to Close Plant on July 3

The Westlake Village plant of Control Products Corp., which makes illuminated control panels for helicopters and other aircraft, will close its doors for good on July 3, according to John Pettersen, vice president and general manager.

The company, which was founded in Venice in 1958 and moved to Ventura County in 1977, is a victim of the aerospace squeeze and environmental regulations, Pettersen said. Even though the 22 employees have known their fate for several weeks, “they’re going out with a bang, working hard to complete our final orders,” he added.

“At first, everybody was down, but now they’ve taken on a wonderfully positive attitude. It’s a joy to watch.”

Ironically, Pettersen said, the plant, whose privately held parent is based in Grand Prairie, Tex., “has been profitable for all but seven months of all the years it’s been here.”

The parent company decided to close the facility because defense orders are down and because of increasing difficulty meeting environmental standards, Pettersen said.

He said only one employee has found a job so far. “It looks like the rest of us will be in the unemployment line, but we’re always hoping.”