| Author | Message | ||
     Ccryder |
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Harley-Davidson Inc. has warned its employees it may have to move its Milwaukee manufacturing operations if it can't cut millions of dollars in costs. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that company officials told employees Thursday there are significant "cost gaps" that must be filled. Harley spokesman Bob Klein says the company's preference is to keep the production operations in Wisconsin. But he says the company will also explore other U.S. sites in case it can't achieve the type of "concrete workable solutions," it needs. Hundreds of Milwaukee jobs could be at risk. The Milwaukee-based company has struggled with sluggish sales, particularly of its high-end bikes. It reported last week that its first-quarter profit plunged 72 percent. | ||
| Jb2 |
Neil, A good friend of mine hauls paper in and out of the mills in Wisconsin. One of them is in the old down town area of Milwaukee so it takes him right past the home offices and engine plant. He says the lot is bare, except for a few cars, every time he passes the place. He's asked me on several occasions if it was closed. I couldn't answer cause I don't follow HD anything, anymore. I'll pass this on to him. Thanks, JB2 | ||
| Ulynut |
the company will also explore other U.S. sites in case it can't achieve the type of "concrete workable solutions," it needs. Is this U.S. sites exclusively, or are there also sites in Mexico, India, China, South America....... Is this just a threat in order to scare the Union into making more concessions? | ||
| Spank |
This sounds just like the Mercury Marine deal that happened here a while back... I am sure our great governor Doyle won't do anything about it. | ||
| Greg_e |
Definitely part threat, but I'm sure they will move if they can get big tax breaks and if it will break the union. Either way the union is going to take it hard, and you sure don't see all the executives taking pay cuts do you? | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Nope. It's always the hourly employees responsibility that (1) they're the reason for the company losing money and (2) they need to make concessions in order for the company to survive. Never the salary employees or management. It's the American way. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I wouldn't say they are entirely the reason the company is losing money. But they sure get paid a lot on the line for what is essentially unskilled labor. IIRC, Buell line workers were paid 20-30% less $$$. | ||
| Jaimec |
"Harley Davidson, proudly made in Mumbai." Just watch... | ||
| Ulynut |
"Harley Davidson, proudly made in Mumbai." That would be certain death for H.D., and a home run for Victory. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My guess is that it IS a real possibility, but the first shot across the bow is to see if any concessions will be made by the state. My guess is that there will not be a move. We'd be happy to have another headquarters. We just welcomed Nissan. We'd be glad to have HD. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Problem is, our moronic Governor wont likely give in to any state concessions. | ||
| Stalker |
The company is looking to cut $54 million. Dosent Keiths salary make up more than 10 percent of that? Maybe he needs to make more, so more WORKERS can get that unemployment check. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Nissan saved $100M by moving to TN. C'mon down!!!!!! | ||
| Ourdee |
I was thinking about moving back to Tenn. But not if HD is there. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
 C'mon down!!!!!! | ||
| Glitch |
Never the salary employees or management. I'm living proof that's a false statement.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Hey, there's room for you too, Steve. The riding season's WAY longer, too!  | ||
| Ducxl |
What Rocketsprink said. And IF Harley left it's turf of OVER 100 years they'd be ALL DONE.It'd be like Disney World moving to El Paso. After over 100 years manufacturing in Wisconsin all of a sudden they can't afford to manufacture there? WTF!!?? VERY SHORT SIGHTED. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I'm living proof that's a false statement. So is my brother, and several of my friends who were either offered retirement or laid off from HD. They cut FAR more salary engineering positions than hourly production. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Sounds a lot like what they just finished doing in (to) York.... | ||
| Sifo |
I'm living proof that's a false statement. +1 | ||
| Xb12xmike |
Don't some businesses use Delaware as headquarters to save money somehow? | ||
| Xb12xmike |
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| Rocketsprink |
by and large, it's hourly employees. Yes, salary employees get hit too. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
But they also didn't make any concessions. They were just shown the door. | ||
| Two_buells |
they are trying the same thing they did to York... | ||
| Steveford |
That'd be like the Green Bay Packers moving to Los Angeles. They need to strap Wandell onto the outside of the space shuttle and then it's Bedtime for Bonzo. | ||
| Luftkoph |
education ranking out of 50 states WI 3 TN 30 life excpectance out of 50 states WI 17 TN 45 average income out of 50 states WI 21 TN 43 ya c'mon down, way down | ||
| Stalker |
My understanding is that, the Combined Reporting Tax in WI is just a NOT welcome mat to manufacturing jobs. I believe, but may be way off, that had alot to do with Mercury marine looking out of state. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
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