Electrolux to close Greenville plant in 2005 [further info]

The Grand Rapids Press ^ | Friday, January 16, 2004 | Julia Bauer and John Hogan

[FourPeas]

Even though the deadline had been extended, it really was a matter of time: $80 million/year??

[FourPeas]

Uh, make that $81 million/year.

[joesnuffy]

All they gotta do is wait....we are gonna bring Mexico here.....
on the other hand they would be smarter to just skip Mexico and go directly to China
they will be there in a few years anyway...
Follow the winners....they're headed to China

[templar]

Maquiladoras are factory sites for foreign companies in Mexico that tap abundant low-cost labor, low taxes, and little regulation.

I remember when the Maquiladoras were going to solve all kinds of border problems and make workers in both the United States and Mexico prosperous. Wonder who, specifically, has actually gotten the greatest benefit of this program.

[LetsRok]

I sold Kirbys door-to-door one summer while in college. We had a saying, "lux sucks!".

[AppyPappy]

We are one revolution away from seeing a total shakeout in American industry. When the unions get entrenched in Mexico, it will be all over.

[FourPeas]

My grandfather owned a cleaning business in the 1960's that had contracts for a number of large office buildings. He'd only buy Electrolux because of their durability. I actually still own one of the last ones he bought before he died. It's still a good machine, but it's a tad bit difficult to find the bags. Our Kirby OTOH is in the basement. Being allergic to dust, etc. the unfiltered air it puts out literally makes me sick.

[FourPeas]

When the unions get entrenched in Mexico, it will be all over.

Do you really see this happening? Years ago when Mr. FourPeas worked for a contractor in Mexico there was a huge flap over Ford wanting to pay the Mexicans "too much" in the estimation of the government. The government actually set the maximun Ford could pay.

[pissant]

Oreck. Proudly made in Louisiana.

[Johnny_Cipher]

This sucks.

(Or, it doesn't).

[Napoleon Solo]

For how much longer??

Just watch our manufacturing base go away and things will get real nasty real soon!

[pgkdan]

This really stinks. My sister has been working there for the last 7 years or so, ever since her husband was disabled in a car crash. There's not a whole lot else in that area.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

"Unfortunately, we face significant competitive challenges in today's global economy, most notably that all of our major competitors have located or announced they soon will locate production facilities in Mexico and thus put us at a large cost disadvantage," said Keith McLoughlin, president and CEO of Electrolux Home Products North America.

Let me see. All these companies are locating jobs to Mexico while Mexico is trying to locate Mexicans here? Perhaps the solution is to replay union organizing efforts from the 1920s in Mexico. When Mexicans stop working for 25% of the minimum American wage, jobs will stop being relocated to Mexico.

[Dan from Michigan]

NAFTA sucks.

[kellynla]

There are still a few vacuums made in USA. (But you might want to confirm before you buy. Some models may be imported)
http://www.oreck.com
http://www.quikut.com/douglas.htm
http://www.hoover.com

[GigaDittos]

Oreck sucks.

[thulldud]

What if American tax rates went back to what they were in the '20s? You wouldn't need to make $15 an hour then.

The elephant in the living room is the (well-hidden, for now) cost of government. If that were competitive, we would have nothing to fear from free trade.

Just don't expect government to allow any honest scrutiny.

[Revel]

This is not your daddy's America.

[mpreston]

Yup, and on top of our current cost there is the possibility of universal health care. I'm sure that will lower governments cost! Plus how many more illegals will enter this country for health care? If you were the enemy of the US, I can't think of a better way to take this country down without shedding blood.

[ClintonBeGone]

Wonder who, specifically, has actually gotten the greatest benefit of this program.

The american consumer.