Remington Arms plant to be shut down for a month

Herkimer Evening Telegram ^ | Saturday, November 1, 2003 | CHICK PERRY

[archy]

Remington Arms plant to be shut down for a month

By CHICK PERRY-Telegram Staff Writer

ILION - Employees at the Remington Arms Company plant in Ilion were informed in a letter Thursday from Plant Manager Paul Cahan that the plant will be shut down for the month of December and on Jan. 2.

The letter distributed to all of the company's approiximately 940 employees stated:

"Due to the weak economy, Remington sales are down for the year 2003. As a result, it is necessary to make an adjustment to our production schedule. After considering various alternatives, we have decided to shut down the plant for the entire month of December and also Friday, Jan. 2."

The letter goes on to say employees will have an opportunity to file for unemployment benefits through the state Department of Labor and that arrangements were being made to have state representatives visit the plant to explain the unemployment benefits process. Employees with vacation time remaining in December will be paid their vacation pay in one check, the first week of December.

"Although this is a difficult situation for many of you, it should be noted that Remington has done better than many other companies during the recession. The company expects that sales will pick up again next year as the economy improves," Cahan stated.

Calls made to the Remington Arms plant Thursday evening and Friday morning were not returned prior to deadline.

[Fledermaus]

Where is Ilion? The Remington plant in Loanoke, Arkansas is going full blast. No pun intended.

[petuniasevan]

Upstate New York, east of Syracuse.

[Fledermaus]

Then it probably has more to do with unions and high costs imposed by the state.

[Bogey78O]

No worry, Michael Moore will champion them.

[RatSlayer]

Let's all try to get a call in on Gun Talk this weekend and see if Gresham knows what they produce at the NY plant.

[archy]

Let's all try to get a call in on Gun Talk this weekend and see if Gresham knows what they produce at the NY plant.

The Hickory, KY plant is responsible for the plastic .22 rifles in the Remington line, the Remington model 597 family rifles in 22 Long Rifle and 22 WMR calibers. This is the firearm that replaced the discontinued model 522 Viper and the venerable old Remington Nylon 66 autoloader rifle.

-archy-/-

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

BS. Remington needs to produce good guns at competitive prices.

[niteowl77]

BS. Remington needs to produce good guns at competitive prices.

The first gun I owned was a Remmy (Nylon 77), and I loved it... always thought Big Green stuff was the best, especially the ammunition.

The time-tested 870 (still the best practical shotgun on the planet, IMO) and 700 families now have variation upon variation, but there is little else to get excited about. QC is not up to the old standards either, but to be fair, whose is unless it is carriage trade merchandise? The Remington .22 line was far better looking and more practical 30 years ago, I'd rather have a 788 than the new bolt gun, and it just seems like they have generally confused new with improved over the last two decades.

And if they'd just have re-introduced the old Hepburn instead of the roller...

I do wonder how much this has to do with facility and labor issues in NY (the ones under the top coat of paint).

[toddst]

I do wonder how much this has to do with facility and labor issues in NY (the ones under the top coat of paint).

Remington should follow Ruger's example and relocate to Arizona (Ruger has a plant in Prescott.) Get away from New York and the whole distorted high production cost situation that impacts gunmakers in the northeast.

[billorites]

Remington has manufactured guns in Ilion for about 150 years.

I have a 58 cal. 1862 Zoave from Ilion.

There's an excellent museum there too. Must see for gun nuts.

[SLB]

The Remington R&D facility here in E'town is going strong. Not many employees, but they are working full schedules. Sure wish they were hiring old worn out military analysts.

[toddst]

BS. Remington needs to produce good guns at competitive prices.

The Remington 700 rifle has been - and continues to be - a quality high-power weapon and competitive in price. I have owned many over the years, have two of recent manufacture that are well made and accurate right out of the box.

What they should do is relocate within the US to an area where they benefit from a more pro-business environment. Cutting costs would allow them to further improve quality (more hand-work) AND lower prices somewhat.

[FreedomPoster]

Didn't realize such a thing existed. How long has that been there?

[niteowl77]

Anywhere between the Rockies and the Mississippi would probably be OK.

I still think that they have suffered from a narrow, "hunting-only" marketing strategy and ill-considered product introductions/deletions. Home defense, target, cowboy, BPCR... those are all bigger parts of the shooting pie these days, and with no handguns in the line, Remington has gotta get moving. They ain't crying over at Glock.

[MHT]

This is slightly off the subject, but my son wants to be a gunsmith/gun repairman. Do you know if Remington or somebody else has a training program for kids like that?

[jalisco555]

Then it probably has more to do with unions and high costs imposed by the state

Yes, the Carrier plant in the area is closing for the same reason.

[AngryJawa]

"They ain't crying over at Glock."

You got that right. Their facility in Smyrna, GA is a very busy place.

[toddst]

The Remington R&D facility here in E'town is going strong. Not many employees, but they are working full schedules. Sure wish they were hiring old worn out military analysts.

I did not know Remington had such a facility anywhere in Kentucky. Pleased to hear its in E'town.

Hey, why don't you zip over there and put in an application? I think they ought to find a place for you!

[AngryJawa]

I'm convinced that the NY State government could really care less is every major industrial plant in the Upstate moved out. As long as they collect their taxes from NYC, they'll be happy.