WINDSOR, Ont. — When Norm Hillier joined what is now Martinrea Fabco in 1986, he thought it would be a company he would remain with for his working life.

But cheaper work elsewhere, a fluctuating Canadian dollar, stiffer global competition and a gradual shifting of work south of the border changed Hillier's plans and those of hundreds of his neighbours, co-workers and friends.

Last Friday the company followed through on its commitment to close the plant at the end of June, throwing about 130 workers out of their jobs. They were told to leave their personal possessions and belongings behind and that arrangements would be made this week to pick them up.

Hillier, who is in his early 50s with 24 years seniority, suddenly finds himself seeking employment at a time when he thought he was long past that stage of his life.

"It was a good place to work at one time," said Hillier.

"We all grew up together in here. We learned about each other's families, how they were doing in school and in sports -- it really was one large family."

In its heyday in the early 1990s, union officials say there were as many as 550 workers in the plant on Division Road but its final days last week, only about 130 remained, largely providing Chrysler minivans with a stockpile of 62,000 axles in preparation for the plant's closing.

The final production shift in the plant was a week ago with about 130 workers on hand but since then a skeleton staff of 12 to 15 has been in the plant dismantling the equipment in preparation for a move elsewhere within the company.

Company officials were not available for comment but CAW Local 195 president Gerry Farnham, who represents the workers, said "it's a sad day because we believe we did everything we could including cutting $8 an hour off production costs per worker and extending an agreement until the end of June.