BATESVILLE, Ind. (AP) – Hillenbrand Industries Inc., maker of hospital beds, surgical tables and funeral caskets, said Thursday it has completed plans to close its casket plant in Nashua, N.H., and consolidate operations at its Panola, Miss., plant as part of a plan to reduce manufacturing costs.

The company said consolidating the two Batesville Casket plants will result in a charge of $4.4 million. Of this, Hillenbrand said $2 million will be incurred during the third quarter and the rest during the second quarter 2006.

Hillenbrand expects the consolidation to save $4.3 million in annual costs.

Earlier this month the company reported a fiscal second-quarter profit, reversing a year-ago loss, but cut its full-year earnings forecast due to the possible plant closing.

Hillenbrand forecast 2005 earnings from continuing operations of $3 to $3.15 per share, on projected revenue of $1.94 billion to $1.97 billion. Its previous forecast had estimated earnings of $3.40 to $3.50 per share.

Shares of Hillenbrand fell 8 cents to close at $50.80 on the New York Stock Exchange.