Vendo's closure to lay off hundreds

The Fresno Bee ^ | Tuesday, August 17, 2004 | Lisa Aleman-Padilla

[Willie Green]

Fresno company's move to Texas will idle 325 workers by May

The Vendo Co. will close its Fresno plant next year, laying off 325 highly skilled and well-paid workers.

Vendo officials filed a notice of mass layoffs with Fresno County late Friday, saying it will close the North Ingram Avenue plant about May 1.

The vending machine manufacturer is moving to an upgraded plant in Dallas to be closer to its sister company, Sanden Corp., and to bigger markets in the central and eastern United States.

"We've always recognized the disadvantage of being on the West Coast," said Michael Vartanian, Vendo's vice president of finance and administration. "That's really what pushed us to make this decision."

[SquirrelKing]

This is all Bush's fault!

[quantim]

"We've always recognized the disadvantage of being on the West Coast,"

Well, there you have it.

[Jim Robinson]

Taxed and regulated to death.

[bayourod]

Can't blame the weather on this one.

[KevinDavis]

Can't blame Bush for this.... Signs of a better economy... Less posting by Willie about layoffs.

[syriacus]

"We've always recognized the disadvantage of being on the West Coast,"

The vending machine manufacturer is moving to an upgraded plant in Dallas to be closer to its sister company, Sanden Corp.,

Does this mean Texas has a better environment, than California does, for companies like Vendo?

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

How many companies can compete beset by high taxes and regulations?

[PAR35]

Does this mean Texas has a better environment, than California does, for companies like Vendo?

Both the Union boss and the City's director of economic development seem to think so.

"Fred Burkhardt, economic development director for the city of Fresno, agreed, calling Vendo's move to Texas "another testimony to how uncompetitive the state of California is" in luring and keeping businesses."

[afnamvet]

When I worked for Telco, our garage was on Herndon Ave., a little southwest of Vendo. I feel so sorry for the workers & their families. I hope they find work.

[Wolverine]

Cigarette machines went out years ago.

[syriacus]

Thanks.

[stboz]

Does this mean Texas has a better environment, than California does, for companies like Vendo?

It means the property is just too valuable and the company wants to cash in. It's practically right across the street from where I work. There is hardly a vacant lot that isn't about to not be vacant anymore. Money from the coast moving to the valley.