The federal government's announcement last week of a $5 billion aid package for suffering automobile industry suppliers came too late for 42 employees of TRW Automotive U.S. LLC in Lebanon.

The company, which makes steering systems for commercial vehicles at the facility, laid off the workers on March 9, according to the weekly job-loss summary of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

A TRW spokesman could not be reached this morning for any further details.

Also on the layoff list is Ryerson Inc., a distributor and processor of metals that has closed its Nashville service center on Poplar Lane, off Elm Hill Pike. The move, effective tomorrow, puts 11 employees out of work.

Terry Rogers, chief financial officer of Chicago-based Ryerson, told NashvillePost.com that although the company is closing the local office, "we will continue to serve that market from our Chattanooga plant.