Dana Corporation has announced that it will close as many as 15 manufacturing facilities, reducing the giant company's global work force by as many as 3,500 workers.

The Cape Girardeau plant is not one of those scheduled for closure.

Dana's announcement Tuesday was about the Echlin Division of Dana, not the Spicer Axle Division, said Dave Blanchard, manager of the local plant.

"There area no current plans for any layoffs at our facility," he said. "There are no plans to close any plants in the Spicer Axle Division that I know of."

Southwood J. Morcott, chairman and chief executive officer, announced from Dana's Toledo, Ohio, headquarters Tuesday that current plans are to make reduction in the Echlin Division, eliminating 15 manufacturing facilities and closing 30 distribution points.

"The decision was a difficult one," said Morcott. "All of the people involved have been notified, and we will do all we can to help the people that are affected."

Dana, one of the world's largest independent suppliers to vehicular, off-highway and industrial manufacturers, employs more than 79,000 people at 293 manufacturing plants and 97 distribution facilities in 22 countries.

Dana Corp., which has been on the Cape Giardeau scene nine years, employs 390 workers. It opened here in a $23 million facility on Southern Expressway early in 1990, with about 60 workers.

The company is a previous recipient of the Cape Girardeau Chamber's Industry of the Year award.