Indianapolis foundry to close Sept. 30, eliminating 881 jobs

INDIANAPOLIS - DaimlerChrysler AG will close its Indianapolis foundry and eliminate 881 jobs by Sept. 30, reducing the automaker's once formidable Indiana manufacturing presence to just the city of Kokomo.

DaimlerChrysler recently notified the Indiana Department of Workforce Development of the closure under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, Act. The law requires employers to give 60 days notice before certain plant closings and layoffs. The loss of 881 jobs is the largest in Indiana under WARN this year.

A provision in the four-year labor agreement struck by the automaker and the United Auto Workers in 2003 called for the foundry to close by the end of the third quarter of 2005, company spokeswoman Curtrise Garner said Friday.

"The company and union jointly agreed to that," she said by telephone from DaimlerChrysler's U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.

News reports at the time of the labor agreement said DaimlerChrysler would phase out the foundry over four years. The plant along Interstate 70 west of downtown Indianapolis produces V-6 and V-8 engine blocks.

UAW Local 550 represents workers at the foundry. Local President James Clark had little to say about the closure when asked for comment Friday. The affected workers, most of whom now live in Indianapolis, have been offered jobs at a variety of other DaimlerChrysler plants, he said.

Workers who choose to transfer to another DaimlerChrysler plant instead of retiring receive 95 percent of their base pay after taxes until a new job is found for them, Garner said.

Department of Workforce Development agency officials will meet with DaimlerChrysler representatives next Thursday to discuss state job assistance to the affected workers, agency spokesman Kip Chase said.

The plant was owned by American Foundry Co. until Chrysler bought it in 1946. The automaker invested in major upgrades there in 1964, 1978, 1988, and the late 1990s.

The closing will diminish DaimlerChrysler's presence in Indiana to Kokomo, where three transmission plants and an aluminum casting plant employ about 7,500 workers. The automaker spun off its 1,400-worker New Castle machine shop to a joint venture three year ago, ending a 96-year history in the eastern Indiana city where the high school still bears the Chrysler name.

The notice to the state of 881 jobs being lost topped Indiana's largest previous WARN job loss this year, for 613 jobs eliminated with the June closure of Tower Automotive's auto frame assembly plant in Corydon.

I've done my part posting this detailed article and in the past I have posted data on real income (which I recall has been rising in a straight line under both Clinton and Bush).

Why don't you use google to look up the answers to your questions and share them with the group. There are clues to your question about population growth right there in the article when it says:

the percentage of working age Americans in the labor force has fallen from an all-time high of 67.3% to 66.0% today. If this seems worrisome, it isn't. The average labor force participation rate for the post-World War II period is 63%--well below today's rate.

Did you read it?

Whoa!!!! Here's some bad new....No wait....Its a Democratic Governor...It must be good news... No wait.....

Willy what do I do????

Governor Opens New Manufacturing Activity; Says Legislative Action Could Bring More Jobs
Contact: Heidi Hansen 517-335-6397

June 29, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm participated in grand opening ceremonies today at the new Karmann Manufacturing facility in Plymouth and reiterated her call for Republican lawmakers to act on her 5-part economic plan to stimulate the state’s economy and create tens of thousands of good paying jobs.

“Karmann Manufacturing is an excellent example of the high-tech automotive work already being done here in Michigan,” Granholm said. “If the Republican-led Legislature will act on my economic plan, we can create more good paying jobs like these in communities throughout the state.”

Granholm said facilities like the new manufacturing plant being opened today are evidence that Michigan is poised to be a leader in tomorrow’s technology. The German-based company is opening its first North American manufacturing facility at the site where it will produce the new Pontiac G6 convertible. The new high-tech manufacturing facility is expected to employ 250 people by 2007. The company already does advanced automotive research at the Plymouth campus.

Granholm’s Jobs Today, Jobs Tomorrow initiative will not only help companies like Karmann that do automotive research, but will create jobs immediately and diversify and grow Michigan’s future economy. It will:

• create 72,000 high-wage jobs by investing $2 billion to establish Michigan as a global center of research in new technology and emerging industries;

• create 36,000 jobs over three years and make Michigan a better place to live and do business by accelerating $800 million in critical state infrastructure projects, by giving local communities new tools to carry out their own public investment projects, and by sparking private development projects;

• give children in school and adults in the workforce greater access to higher education and to the skills they need to fill both the jobs of the future and job vacancies that exist in Michigan today.

To create jobs of the future, Granholm is calling for a 21st Century Jobs Initiative that will make Michigan the nation’s epicenter of alternative energy and advanced automotive research, a leader in the biotech industry, and a hotbed for homeland security R&D. The initiative calls for a $2 billion investment over 10 years to grow Michigan’s economy by increasing research in our university, corporate, and non-profit research institutions and by stepping up efforts to turn new ideas into new commercial products. Michigan voters will be asked to approve a ballot measure this November that would authorize the Governor’s plan to create

Date: Thursday, August 11, 2005
For Immediate Release Contact: Christopher Twomey
218/681-9860

Paul Omodt
612/455-1732

Kit Borgman
651/297-1192 Kit.Borgman@state.mn.us

Arctic Cat Selects Site for New Manufacturing Facility
~ Company to Build New Plant in St. Cloud, MN;
Governor Pawlenty Praises Decision ~

ST. PAUL, Minn., August 11 – Arctic Cat Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAT) today announced that the company will build a new ATV engine manufacturing facility in St. Cloud, Minn., in order to meet growing demand for its products.

Governor Tim Pawlenty commended Arctic Cat for choosing to invest in the state by bringing new economic development and high-paying jobs to St. Cloud.

“Arctic Cat is a Minnesota success story. The company has grown into a leader in the powersports industry and ranks among the state’s largest public companies,” said Governor Pawlenty. “I am pleased that Arctic Cat will be expanding its operations here and continuing its longstanding commitment as a great Minnesota employer.”

Governor Pawlenty was joined at a press conference in the governor’s office by Arctic Cat’s Chairman and CEO Chris Twomey and St. Cloud city officials.

“We are very pleased with our successful entry into the ATV engine market, and look forward to expanding our production capabilities in St. Cloud in order to meet our future production needs,” said Twomey. Earlier this year, Arctic Cat introduced its first-ever designed and built ATV engine, the 650 H1.

The company plans to build a 56,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, which could be expanded in the future to 200,000-square feet. Initially, the site will house Arctic Cat’s growing Engine Manufacturing Division and be used to assemble the company’s ATV engines.

Twomey said St. Cloud became the logical choice to expand its operations, due to its Upper Midwest location, convenient access to major suppliers and well-educated workforce.

The plant will be located on a 15-acre site, near an additional 40-acre vehicle test track. Construction is slated to begin in 2006 and be completed around year-end, with the plant operational by 2007. The initial investment in the new facility and equipment is anticipated to cost approximately $8 million.

“Arctic Cat has earned a reputation as a technology leader in the production of high-quality, innovative recreational products,” said Twomey. “This new state-of-the-art facility will provide us with greater flexibility and control over the ATVs we produce, so that we can better meet our customers’ needs. It also will enhance our efficiency and reduce our ATV engine costs.”

Arctic Cat initially expects to fill 50 new positions in St. Cloud, and could potentially employ up to 150 people at the site, once the new facility is fully operational. The company does not currently anticipate that its expansion in St. Cloud will affect employees at its Thief River Falls, Minn., headquarters plant.

mailboxes.

Company officials say they chose Manhattan because of the excellent work force and central geographical location.

I'm going to try to read up on some of these issues. I fail to see how service jobs are going to be good for our country in the long run.

I know, the true wealth is made when you manufacture something from raw materials or perhaps from mental effort, like a book or a computer programs. Basically, service jobs, well they are needed but when they are the only types of jobs or when they are the majority of the economy, you are pushing money around like in a Monopoly game.

Maybe a third viable party will emerge, but the powers that be will do everything in their power to maintain the status quo.

I know, I think we do need a third party. I'm through with the Republicans although if someone like a Tancredo would run, I would vote for him, the man, not for the sake of party. If someone like him would run on the Democratic side (fat chance, but I'm playing "what if") he would still get my vote.

Gentex Breaks Ground On New Manufacturing Facility

ZEELAND, Mich., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gentex Corporation, the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and commercial fire protection products, today officially broke ground on a new 300,000-square-foot technology center and manufacturing facility that Company officials estimate will generate upwards of 600 new jobs over the next five years.

The new facility will house the additional manufacturing and office space necessary to meet increasing demand for the Company's auto-dimming mirrors and related electronic devices. The state-of-the-art facility will have an estimated annual production capacity of over 7 million mirrors, bringing Gentex's total manufacturing capacity to about 20 million units annually.

"We're excited to continue our growth in West Michigan," said Gentex Chairman & CEO Fred Bauer. "In light of the number of jobs that recently have left West Michigan, it's both humbling and gratifying to be part of an organization that's able to expand locally due to continued growth and success. Our commitment to the area, and the area's commitment to Gentex, has never been stronger."

This mutual commitment was further demonstrated by the City of Zeeland's willingness to vacate part of Centennial Street in order to allow Gentex's corporate headquarters to be connected to the new facility, which is being constructed directly across the street. The Company expects the facility to be completed in early 2006.

Gentex's decision to expand locally is due in part to The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which helped Gentex officials become familiar with, and benefit from, the tax incentives available through the State of Michigan.

"We wanted to stay in Michigan

Posted on Thu, Apr. 14, 2005

Alcoa opens new N.C. facility; $6M investment adds 75 jobs

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Alcoa Inc.'s (AA) Alcoa Subassembly & Logistics business will open a new manufacturing plant in Salisbury, N.C., creating 75 new jobs in the area.

Alcoa Subassembly & Logistics, part of Alcoa Wheel & Forged Products, provides wheel and tire assemblies to the Freightliner Group, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a maker of medium-duty and specialized commercial vehicles.

The new facility - a $6 million investment - will support Freightliner locations in North and South Carolina, aluminum producer Alcoa said in a press release Thursday.

Production is scheduled to begin in mid-April.

The new facility will add to Alcoa's presence in North Carolina, where Alcoa has four other operating locations in Badin, Catawba, Charlotte and Greensboro. The Salisbury plant will be the largest facility that Cleveland-based Alcoa Subassembly and Logistics operates.

RSI Home Products to Add 150 New Jobs and Invest $9.2 Million to Expand Manufacturing Facility in the Lincoln County Industrial Park.
Contact Information:
LEDA
Laura K. Foor
PO Box 2050
Lincolnton NC 28093
Phone: (704) 748-1503
Fax: (704) 736-8451
leda@vnet.net

Source: Lincoln Economic Development Association
Written By: Laura K. Foor
Thursday, July 07, 2005

RSI Home Products, Inc. announced today it will expand its manufacturing facility in the Lincoln County Industrial Park. The company will more than double the current 200,000 square foot facility by adding an additional 225,000 square feet. This will bring the company’s total square footage in Lincoln County to over 1.1 million square feet. The expansion will represent an investment of $9,250,000 and create at least 150 new jobs in Lincoln County. Lincoln County commissioners demonstrated their continued support of economic development by offering RSI an incentive package in June. The company will receive approximately $197,000 in incentives, which will be paid out in equal installments over a five year period. Tom Anderson, chairman, Lincoln County Board of Commissioners commented, “We are very pleased that the efforts we have made over these last few years to encourage RSI Home Products to look favorably on Lincoln County as a place where they could prosper have once again borne fruit. This further expansion by RSI will strengthen our local economy and further our efforts to show other potential employers that Lincoln County is truly a business friendly location. We thank RSI for their continuing commitment to Lincoln County and the jobs they provide. We look forward to their continuing partnership with Lincoln County and the positive impact of that partnership.” The Keith Corporation will develop the expansion and lease to RSI along with the other 620,000 sq. ft. currently leased by RSI in the Lincoln County Industrial Park. Alan Lewis, industrial development partner with The Keith Corporation commented, “RSI’s growth continues to positively impact Lincoln County and the Lincoln County Industrial Park. It is a pleasure to be associated with them in the development of these facilities. Lincoln Economic Development Association’s (LEDA) top priority is the retention and expansion of existing industry. “Over the last year, Lincoln County has seen tremendous growth from our existing industrial base,” stated Laura Foor, existing business coordinator for LEDA. “Blum, Timken, Robb & Stucky, Hof Textiles and RSI have all announced expansions. This is proof-positive of why we make working with existing industry our main objective.” RSI has experienced tremendous success in Lincoln County. Currently the company operates four facilities in the county. It has a manufacturing plant and distribution center in

Governor Warner Announces Medical Manufacturing Facility to Open in Albemarle County
— Princeton BioMeditech Corporation to invest $7 million and create 115 jobs —
RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Princeton BioMeditech Corporation (PBM) will invest $7 million to build a manufacturing facility in Albemarle County and create 115 new jobs. The company has entered into an exclusive marketing and manufacturing agreement with ContraVac, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company. The new facility will provide manufacturing capability to ContraVac for its newly developed products to test male fertility. The Albemarle County facility will also provide research and development efforts, manufacturing and distribution for PBM’s current and future products. Virginia successfully competed against New Jersey and Pennsylvania for the project.

Vol 11 Issue 18 | 15 - 28 July 2005
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THREE THOUSAND JOBS ON THIS ONE!!!!!!!

Daily Updates
Intel plans new 300mm manufacturing plant for Arizona

Intel Corp. will build its next 300-millimeter wafer manufacturing plant in Chandler, Arizona, alongside existing Intel facilities, the company said Monday.

Tom Krazit
IDG News Service\San Francisco Bureau
Updated: Jul 26, 2005 09:32 AM

Intel Corp. will build its next 300-millimeter wafer manufacturing plant in Chandler, Arizona, alongside existing Intel facilities, the company said Monday.

Scheduled for completion in the second half of 2007 at a cost of US$3 billion, Fab 32 will become Intel's latest wafer fabrication plant (commonly known as a fab) to use silicon wafers measuring 300mm in diameter. Chip manufacturers cut their products from circular silicon wafers, and the industry is in the midst of a transition to 300mm wafers, which allows manufacturers to yield more chips from the production of a single wafer.

Fab 32 will also be Intel's first volume manufacturing fab to use 45-nanometer processing technology, which is two generations beyond the current 90 nanometer technology used to build Intel's most advanced chips. The company is currently readying its first 65-nanometer processors, scheduled to ship later this year. The size of the processing technology refers to the average size of the chip's features.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. plans to open its first 300mm fab next year in Dresden, Germany. IBM Corp. already operates a 300mm fab in East Fishkill, New York. Foundries Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and United Microelectronics Corp. each have two 300mm fabs.

Intel's roots may lie in California's Silicon Valley, but all of Intel's recent manufacturing investments have been built outside the state. Intel currently operates two 300mm fabs in Oregon, and one each in New Mexico and Leixlip, Ireland. A fifth plant is nearing completion in Chandler and Intel is adding capacity to its existing 300mm fab in Ireland. While its advanced manufacturing facilities are located in the U.S., Ireland and Israel, Intel operates several test and assembly plants around the world in places such as Malaysia, Costa Rica and China.

Many hardware companies are moving manufacturing plants outside the U.S., citing the lower cost of operations in emerging markets such as China and Malaysia. However, with the complexity of modern chip manufacturing technology, Intel believes that having most of its manufacturing facilities located in the U.S. allows its workers to collaborate more easily than if some manufacturing plants were located in far-flung parts of the world, said Bob Baker, senior vice president of Intel's Technology and Manufacturing Group, on a conference call.

Intel also received some tax breaks from the Arizona government in return for making the decision to expand its operations there, Baker said. The new plant will create around 1,000 jobs in Arizona over the next several years, with up to 3,000 workers needed to help build the plant, he said.

RE: "the rapidly evolving American economy has created turmoil for many workers."

Good post. I just have some general comments.

I read many of these threads (I said read, not study), I believe that critics of the economy are saying the above. I may be wrong. Certainly that is my personal opinion.

I reject the knee jerk reaction of so many that talking about the reality that our "economy has created turmoil for many workers" is tantamount to calling for the government to provide jobs. Then the fireworks begin. Threads become little more than name calling.

Lets talk about BLS details such as categories that created the most jobs; lets talk about the differences between the household and the payroll surveys; lets not ignore Pew Hispanic Center, CIS, and Northeastern University labor studies reports that show recent immigrants (legal and ILLEGAL) getting millions of jobs while citizens and established immigrants remain unemployed. . . . (I've posted them in the past I am not gong to do it on this thread. There will be other threads with the same tiresome name calling.)

HOwever, I will ask for the umpteenth time, given: insourcing provides many good jobs; i.e., foreign companies coming here do benefit us greatly -- that's what good free trade is about.

Now for the question, how can the foreign companies make it here (and sell it here) while our businessmen say that they must outsource offshore (make it there sell it here) to be competitive and import that production for sale here?

Yup, you were so successful that you could only replace half your salary. Real successful.

Nope, never your fault.

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As the metrosexual GEICO Caveman says, "That's so condescending." How do you know so much about his or any of our situations? Things happen, things we do not control. I know almost all of us have made bad choices from time to time, sometimes we do pay for that but again, even if we make the best choices, other factors come into play and things happen, bad luck, illness, wars, economic downturns, just about anything can turn a rich man or a middle class person into a struggling person overnite. I will say a prayer for you tonite that God where He will open your heart and you will see the other side of things. As my father always said to me, "we don't make it on our own, we all need help every now and then." I'm sure you had help along the way into doing what you are doing. Walk around in the other guy's shoes. Think about it.

PA Governor Rendell Announces Seton Company to Expand Manufacturing Operations in Saxton
Jobs Could Have Gone Overseas, Company to Create 100 New Jobs in Bedford County

SAXTON, Pa., Aug. 9 -- PA Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that Seton Co. is consolidating its operations in Bedford County, creating 100 new jobs in the next three years that the company could have located overseas. A manufacturer of leather interior products for the automobile industry, Seton Co. also will retain 265 existing jobs at its Saxton facility.

"Pennsylvania aggressively sought to bring these jobs to Bedford County, jobs that could have gone overseas," Governor Rendell said. "Instead, the company is consolidating its operation in Saxton, retaining hundreds of existing manufacturing jobs and creating 100 new jobs for our skilled and experienced workforce.

"This is a victory for Pennsylvania's economic development program," Governor Rendell added. "This project is another example of our commitment to support economic growth of our businesses and the success of our communities."

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