Bia Forst, the company that produced chrome-plated three-beam stars for Mercedes-Benz assembly lines, is ceasing operations.
According to Auto Moto und Sport, this plant in Bruchsal, Germany, has supplied stars for Mercedes-Benz cars for many years, but now the demand for their products has dropped dramatically.
After the straw has come in the form of rising energy prices, which will now cause 154 employees at the Bia Forst plant to be laid off.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz will continue to produce its cars, but the stars for them will now be made by other suppliers who already produce parts for the luxury brand.