141 Layoffs at St. Pete Firm

A St. Petersburg plant that makes aerospace equipment will lay off 141 workers and close in December 2013.

Tampa Bay Business Journal reports that Conax Florida will start laying off workers in August, as it begins the shutdown of its St. Petersburg plant.

Conax Florida is located at 2801 75th St. North, and is owned by the British corporation, Cobham. Jobs and machinery are being moved to other facilities Cobham owns in New York state and Iowa.

According to the company website, Conax Florida has operated for 50 years. Here is a description of its business: "We design and manufacture electro-explosively actuated devices for the aerospace and defense industries. Our customers consider us the prime choice in aircrew safety products, spacecraft propulsion valves, gas systems and aerial delivery devices."

The consolidation was first announced about a year ago.