First Brands closes Tiffin facility

TIFFIN — First Brands Group, LLC has announced plans to permanently close its Toledo Molding & Die (TMD) facility in Tiffin, potentially leaving hundreds of employees out of work by the end of April. According to Toledo Molding & Die's website, the company began in 1955 as a small model and pattern shop, growing into a major automotive parts supplier specializing in interior car components and HVAC systems. Now, the future of its Tiffin workforce hangs in the balance. In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) received by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Feb. 27, 2026, the company confirmed that closures at the 1441 N. Maule Road facility are slated to begin April 30. The permanent shutdown will result in the loss of all 407 jobs at the plant. In its filing, First Brands Group cited an ongoing period of "financial distress" and its current Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. First Brands Group, which owns well-known brands like FRAM filters, TRICO wiper blades, Autolite spark plugs and Raybestos brakes, filed for bankruptcy in September 2025. According to a January 2026 press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, this financial collapse was triggered by a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme. Federal prosecutors indicted the company's founder, Patrick James, and senior executive Edward James, alleging they systematically deceived lenders by using fabricated invoices and double-pledged assets to illegally inject cash into the company. The WARN notice detailed the company's failed attempts to save the Tiffin plant, stating it had actively pursued a sale of the facility and sought additional outside funding. Unfortunately, the company was unable to finalize a viable deal by late February, resulting in the closure announcement. The fallout from this financial collapse extends far beyond Seneca County. In tandem with the Tiffin shutdown, First Brands Group is permanently closing several other Ohio facilities. This includes another TMD plant in Bowling Green, resulting in 302 job losses and a FRAM facility in Greenville, cutting an additional 302 jobs. First Brand Group's corporate headquarters in Cleveland is also undergoing a complete closure, eliminating 256 positions. Despite the finality of the state notice, local leaders are treating the situation with a measured, cautious optimism. The Seneca Regional Chamber noted that ite team was made aware of the WARN filing the morning before the news broke and immediately connected with plant leadership. "While the filing reflects the seriousness of the situation, company leadership has indicated there has been interest in the facility and they remain optimistic about a potential path forward prior to the April 30 date," the Chamber said in its statement, noting that this perspective has also been communicated internally to employees. A WARN notice is a federal requirement intended to give local officials and workforce agencies time to prepare support services. If a last-minute buyer does not emerge and the closure proceeds, a comprehensive safety net is being organized. The Chamber confirmed that the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Rapid Response Unitand the Office of Workforce Development are prepared to assist affected employees with unemployment guidance, job placement services, resume support, interview preparation and retraining programs. "We recognize that news like this creates uncertainty and concern for workers and families across our community," the Chamber stated. "Our focus remains on supporting the employees, their families, and the long-term strength of our community."