The plant was closed in 2009 after new expensive waste water treatment equipment made the factory unprofitable after the global economic downturn.

Some say that only unprofitable factories have been closed, others view the anti-pollution move as overkill.

The proposal also would allow G.M. to continue to contract out parts-making jobs and to use leaner production methods at unprofitable small-car factories.

However, the local industry was undergoing major changes at the time, with what was effectively state subsidized and unprofitable factories being closed down, including the local steel works.

Proving herself as a turnaround artist, she ran Sara Lee's baked goods business in the mid-1990's, shedding unprofitable factories.

Israel's three kibbutz movements, encompassing nearly 400 collectives, have been burdened with large debts - incurred in the financing of unprofitable factories and other enterprises.

Still, Mr. Plougmann knew the company needed to turn its losses into profits again, so he has moved quickly to shut unprofitable factories and cut the number of employees.

Mr. Abalkin also said the Government plans to begin "denationalizing" unprofitable factories next year, turning them over to worker-owned cooperatives.

The United States is pressing steel-producing countries around the world to lower output by closing inefficient and unprofitable factories.