American Fine Sinter shutting down

TIFFIN — American Fine Sinter announced plans to gradually wind down operations at its Tiffin facility on Tuesday, with a targeted closure in March 2028. The decision follows an announcement from parent company Fine Sinter Co., Ltd., based in Japan, which said it intends to exit North American production operations over time. Future production for the North American market will be shifted to other company facilities, according to a statement shared by AFS. The transition is expected to take place over approximately two years, with initial operational adjustments anticipated later this year. Officials said they do not yet have an exact production stop date, as timelines will depend on customer needs. Currently, AFS employs about 175 workers in Tiffin, with workforce reduction expected to occur gradually as production is phased out. Company leadership said temporary employment positions will be reduced first, with efforts made to move existing employees into other roles where possible to extend their employment. AFS is offering retention incentives and severance options for employees who remain through later stages of the transition. Human Resources Manager Rhonda Caudill said the decision comes after a review of regional demand and overall production capacity, and that they are working to keep employees informed throughout the process. "Our goal is to be completely transparent with our employees and give them as much information as we can as it is received," Caudill said. "We are grateful for the decades of support from the Tiffin community, Seneca County, and above all else, for our faithful employees." AFS' Human Resources team said they will work with employees to connect them with recruiters, job fairs and other employment resources. Tiffin Mayor Lee Wilkinson and representatives from the Seneca County Collaborative met with AFS leadership the morning of the announcement to discuss the closure and next steps, according to CEO and President Bryce Riggs. "We appreciate the AFS leadership team for bringing us into the conversation early and for the transparency and thoughtfulness they've shown throughout this process," said Riggs. He continued, saying the collaborative's role will focus on connecting affected employees with resources rather than directly placing them into jobs. Specifically, they are working with OhioMeansJobs Seneca County, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, as well as other regional partners to provide job search support, resume assistance, interview preparation, and retraining opportunities. A meeting is scheduled to take place next week between AFS human resources staff, OhioMeansJobs Seneca County, and local officials to outline a coordinated process to support employees as they transition. "As employees are given notice timelines by AFS, well continue working alongside our partners to ensure they are aware of available opportunities locally and regionally," he said. Riggs said it is too early to determine the full impact the closure will have on the local economy or future tax revenue, noting that the phased approach will spread any effects over time rather than creating an immediate disruption. "Given the phased approach over the next couple of years, the impact will not be immediate in the way a sudden closure would be," Riggs said. "Our focus right now is on supporting the workforce and working with partners to help retain as much of that talent within our region as possible." AFS has operated in Tiffin for over two decades. In the companies statement, they thanked the community and its workforce– recognizing some employees have given over twenty years of service.