EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Tokyo-owned TDK is pretty much shutting down its Hutchinson Technology electronic parts factory in northwest Eau Claire. As required by law, TDK informed the state jobs agency that it will lay off 90 of its remaining 120 employees permanently in April. This follows layoffs of 237 in May and 50 in June. The plant is one of two Hutchinson facilities, the other in Minnesota. TDK acquired Hutchinson in 1971 for $126 million when its iron-based magnetic material was a high-flier in the recording industry. Since then TDK has expanded rapidly and globally and shifted its shifted focus.
Quiet place now. Hutchinson in plant at 2435 Alpine Road in Eau Claire once employed 450 people.