LINCOLN, Neb. – Newell Rubbermaid, which owns the Vise-Grip brand, is shutting down its plant in DeWitt, Neb., population 572.

About 300 people work at the plant. Roughly 40 of the employees make Unibit tool parts. Unibit operations are moving to a plant in Gorham, Maine, where Irwin Industrial Tools, which operates the Dewitt plant, already makes drill bits under its own brand.

More than 20 jobs will be added at Gorham, said David Doolittle, a spokesman for Irwin Industrial Tools.

Vise-Grip is an iconic name in Nebraska, one of the most famous products invented or developed in the state. The locking pliers have been manufactured in DeWitt for more than 80 years.

The company is moving Vise-Grip operations to China to remain more competitive.