Tower Automotive, which supplies parts to Nissan plants in Canton and Smyrna, Tennessee, has laid off 73 workers since January, leaving 122 at its Meridian plant.

Joe Kirik, a spokesman for Novi, Michigan-based Tower, says the lay offs will not take place exactly as described in earlier reports.

Kirik says the most recent lay off was of 22 employees and that the other 51 have been made since January.

The Meridian plant opened in June 2007 and makes parts for larger Nissan vehicles.

On the Net:

Tower Automotive Inc.: http://www.towerautomotive.com