Springfield circuit-board manufacturer to close in July

Interconnect Technologies, 4811 W. Kearney St., is a division of Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman Corp. that manufactures printed circuit boards for other companies.

“This action is regrettable but unavoidable given ITD’s declining business base, with the plant currently operating at about 25 percent of capacity,” said Jake Volkert, Navigation Systems vice president and general manager at Northrop, in a news release.

Corporate Director of Media Relations Dan McClain wouldn’t comment further on reasons for closing the plant. The closure, along with other elements of Northrop’s overall restructuring, is expected to record a pre-tax charge of $20 million in the second quarter, he said.

McClain said Northrop would assist its Springfield workers in finding new jobs.

“We will be bringing in comprehensive outplacement services, including things like resumé writing, job-interviewing techniques and other services to help them seek new employment,” he said.

Employees also are eligible to apply for jobs at other Northrop plants, the nearest of which are located in the St. Louis area, McClain said.

Northrop, a $30 billion global defense and technology company, acquired Interconnect Technologies when it purchased Litton Inc. in 2001. Interconnect opened in 1963 and came under Litton in 1964.

Another division of Northrop that also operated out of the West Kearney facility was sold in 2006 to Simclar Group Ltd. and moved to Ozark earlier this year.

Northrop has not decided what it will do with its Springfield building.