A Hanes Geo Components plant in Middlesex will be shut down by the end of the year, affecting some 52 people who work at the plant, the company’s president said Thursday.

John Dowdell, president of the company that makes erosion controls, grass seed and fertilizer, said operations at Middlesex would be shifted to other facilities the firm operates in Winston-Salem and Butner.

Some of the employees in Middlesex have been offered the opportunity to relocate, Dowdwell added.

Hanes Geo Components bought the Middlesex plant two years ago from IKEX, a soil erosion control company.

“We anticipate closing the facility by the end of the year,” Dowdell said. “In total, I anticipate a reduction of about 45 positions.”

Hanes Geo Components has “available space” in Winston-Salem and Butner to accommodate the work down in Middlesex, he explained.

Raleigh area customers will be served out of operations in Butner and in Leland after the Middlesex facility is shuttered, he added.