Division of TRW to Close Brea Manufacturing Plant

A division of aerospace giant TRW Inc. is planning to close its Brea manufacturing plant later this year and move production out of state, affecting as many as 213 jobs.

TRW Aeronautical Systems said the closure reflects the company’s desire to consolidate U.S. operations and trim costs.

“We have underutilized capacity at a number of our plants,” said company spokeswoman Renate Myles. “This is part of a program to streamline our manufacturing capacity for improved operational performance.”

TRW Aeronautical, formerly known as Lucas Aerospace, has been making cargo power drive units, hoists and winches at the Brea facility since 1986.

In conjunction with the plant closure, the company--based in Solihull, England--plans to open a smaller non-manufacturing office somewhere near the Brea facility and transfer about 50 marketing and engineering jobs, Myles said.

The remaining jobs will be eliminated, though employees will be given an opportunity to apply for other posts at TRW in Southern California or elsewhere.

The company expects to close the 80,000-square-foot facility, which it leases, by the end of the year.

Brea city officials could not be reached for comment.

TRW Aeronautical is a unit of Cleveland-based TRW Inc.