The Electrolux plant in Webster City, Iowa closed in the spring of 2011, putting 850 people out of work when the company decided to relocate operations to Mexico. (AP Photo/The Messenger, Hans Madsen)

Electrolux is consolidating its North American laundry products research and development at corporate headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., eliminating all 80 jobs at the company’s product design and testing center in Webster City.

The Swedish appliance manufacturer closed its washer-drier factory in Webster City in March 2011 after 73 years in the Hamilton County community. The plant closing eliminated 500 jobs when production was moved to Juarez, Mexico, sending the county’s unemployment rate soaring to 9 percent.

At one time, the Webster City Electrolux facility employed 2,300 workers.

Chris Harris, vice president of laundry and dish care products, Electrolux Major Appliances North America, said the decision to move all R&D functions to North Carolina and close the Webster City facility in the third quarter of 2013 was “difficult, but necessary.”

“The company is committed to assisting our Webster City employees and we are making this announcement nearly a year in advance to help with the transition,” Harris said.

Electrolux products include refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, cookers, air-conditioners and vacuum cleaners sold under brands like Electrolux, AEG, Eureka and Frigidaire.