International Harvester will close Indiana truck plant

Debt-ridden International Harvester decided to consolidate its truck production in a Springfield, Ohio, plant and close an Indiana operation, idling 2,200 workers.

The decision to close the Fort Wayne, Ind., plant and consolidate the two operations - part of the agricultural equipment and truck manufacturer's massive restructuring plan - ended a months-long battle of words and finances between the two states. Factors leading to the decision, the company said, were that Springfield has a newer plant, a larger warehouse, a more efficient material delivery system, and a plant layout suited to high-volume operations.