| Author | Message | ||
     Ccryder |
Harley-Davidson Considers Moving Production Plant By Dan Strumpf, AP Auto Writer Manufacturing.Net - May 13, 2009 NEW YORK (AP) -- Harley-Davidson Inc. is considering closing its main motorcycle assembly facility in Pennsylvania and moving production elsewhere as it aims to lower costs and cope with a sales downturn, a company spokesman said Wednesday. Spokesman Bob Klein said the Milwaukee-based company is exploring ways to reduce costs at its York location. That could include a move, though he declined to say where. The York facility employs about 2,400 workers and consists of two motorcycle factories that assemble its Touring and Softail motorcycles. Klein said the York facility is not competitive as it stands. "It relates to excess capacity, it relates to competitive and cost pressures both in the current economy and longer term," Klein said. "So what we've told employees is that we are going to be doing a major evaluation of the York operations." He said the company is working with its union, the Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, as it conducts a review on the facility. He declined to say what other locations might be under consideration for a move. Pennsylvania Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey sent a letter on Tuesday to Harley Chief Executive Keith Wandell, saying the facility is important to the local economy and calling on the company to protect the factory's jobs. "We strongly urge you to give serious consideration to any option that will protect the thousands of jobs at stake and preserve Harley-Davidson's presence in the region," they wrote. The review of the facility is part of a broad cost-cutting plan that Harley, the top maker of heavyweight motorcycles, launched in January as it battles shrinking profits and a downturn in sales of its iconic bikes. The company has announced plant consolidations and is aiming to cut between 1,400 and 1,500 jobs over the next two years. Part of that plan is to cut between 525 and 575 hourly workers at York, some of which has already been implemented. Last month, Harley reported a 37-percent decline in its profit for the first three months of the year. The company's sales have been falling recently as the downturn in consumer confidence and the tighter credit markets have made many consumers skittish about buying its high-end bikes. The company has also seen a wave of turnover among its top leadership in recent months. On May 1, Wandell took over as CEO from Jim Ziemer, who ran Harley for four years. The company's chief financial officer, Tom Bergmann, stepped down at the same time. Harley also got a new interim head of Harley-Davidson Financial Services and a new senior director of financial reporting. Shares of Harley fell $1.27, or 6.9 percent, to $17.33 in afternoon trading Wednesday. The stock has traded between $7.99 and $48.05 in the past 52 weeks. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Poor York - they lost Cat and I believe York Refrigeration moved some of their operations out of the area, too. I'm guessing HD will move south. They wouldnt dare move out of the country, right? | ||
| Bads1 |
Working with the union??? Declined to say where the move may be??? That doesn't sound good. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Pennsylvania Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey sent a letter on Tuesday to Harley Chief Executive Keith Wandell, saying the facility is important to the local economy and calling on the company to protect the factory's jobs. Funny but today, as the NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) converged on Washington to protest the dealer cuts the govt (who are now running GM's daily operations) have demanded . . . . there was an outcry from a Maryland Senator that Maryland would loose 1,000 jobs as a result of the GM cuts. The feds are demanding (and hey, they own it so I guess they can) some incredible cuts in the number of dealers. Barack "saves" anymore jobs none of us will be working. | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
Is harley a corporation making over $250,000 per year? Maybe they need a tax increase? It sounds glum but we should hold out until cap and trade is put in place. Then we should see some real growth. | ||
| Ducbsa |
" until cap and trade is put in place. " How many trees do I have to plant to be allowed to ride to East Troy? | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
How many trees do I have to plant to be allowed to ride to East Troy? 87 plus one shot of estrogen. | ||
| Ducxl |
Klein said the York facility is not competitive as it stands. Klein said the York Globalism sucks | ||
| Madduck |
My understanding is that they are moving to Wisconsin. Consolidating everything in midwest, may be moving sportster plant up from Kansas too, if rumours are true. Supposedly the state has made some really attractive tax benefits and the unions are chipping in also. Moving overseas isn't in the cards as the fiasco of an idea of producing european harleys in the Irish plant proved. Harleys sell in most of their markets only when made in USA. Cult sort of thing. | ||
| Court |
When facts, opinions and emotions wrestle . . . . | ||
| Buelleaver |
Typical corporate America . Never enough profit. Don’t improve the product to attract new customers. It’s easier and cheaper to exploit the cheapest labor pool available. Communist China ? Why not? Aren’t the communists suppose to be our enemies? Don’t worry , apparently the communists are just misunderstood . We can give them all our technology and money in exchange for cheap trinkets from wall mart. Better yet, How about child slave labor from India. Sorry for the slightly off topic rant…But I’d bet if hd were still privately held, instead of being under pressure to please all it’s share holders there would be a lot less pressure to do this. | ||
| Old_man |
No unions in China. Funny, a commy country with no unions. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
My understanding is that they are moving to Wisconsin. Consolidating everything in midwest, may be moving sportster plant up from Kansas too, if rumours are true. Supposedly the state has made some really attractive tax benefits and the unions are chipping in also. Uh, no. Doyle is raising taxes on businesses in WI. I see them leaving WI, and they have the space in KC. "Company also incurred a one-time $22.5 million tax charge related to a change in Wisconsin tax law enacted mid-quarter without public hearings and which applied retroactively to Jan. 1, 2009." from http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/568/3145/Motorcycle- Article/Harley-2009-First-Quarter-Results-Down.asp x | ||
| Spatten1 |
Typical corporate America . Never enough profit. Don’t improve the product to attract new customers. I don't know, I think the products are fine. The problem is with the price..... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My guess is that they will move to a right to work state in the south. I live in a right to work state. We are very happy to have the jobs. American products made by American workers. Sounds good to me. | ||
| Ducxl |
York Peppermint patties sounded good to me too.....before they moved YORK peppermint patties to Juarez,MEXICO | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Where are Ducatis made in the US? | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
Is HD a non profit organization like GM and Chrysler now are? Maybe the government can whip HD into shape its doing in the auto industry. Change the product to reflect the current climate of greener more efficient products. Smaller more efficient motors and earth based colors that produce less carbon emissions. Perhaps a weight limited switch designed to disable the motorcycle if you are too fat from drinking too much sodas. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The cool thing is that they will eventually just make the UAW a ward of the state. Even if GM goes under, the employees will have their benefits. (Message edited by ft_bstrd on May 13, 2009) | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
Whats even cooler is we may all be able to join as one under the The Employee Free Choice Act. Its not politically affiliated and thats what I like about it plus I dont have to do no thinkin on my own. Just show me da MONEY! | ||
| 4cammer |
"It sounds glum but we should hold out until cap and trade is put in place. Then we should see some real growth." Growth? Of what? | ||
| Court |
What if? . . . just what if? . . . .smart, talented, well meaning people were really planning a bright future, exciting new products and technical improvements. What if, say 5 years from now, Harley-Davidson and Buell were much better companies? Follow the light. . . . . . | ||
| Stingaroo |
This little bit pretty well ruined my mood for the day, York Final Assembly Plant is where my Dad works as a 3rd shift Maintenance Machinist. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Typical corporate America . Never enough profit. Yeah, shame on them for wanting to make a profit. Who the hell do they think they are? Big business is still business. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/10707 5/golden-coffins-golden-offices-golden-retirement? mod=career-salary_negotiation maybe the problem ISN'T the hourly work. Open your frickin' eyes people and stop the hate. | ||
| Court |
And I'd not get too spun up until this gets past the internet rumor stage. | ||
| Paw |
Poor York - they lost Cat and I believe York Refrigeration moved some of their operations out of the area, too. Yes York as been it hard and it was called York International. I lost my job of 8 years there to Mexico and Texas...To non union and their quality went to shit...The first 8 units the Texas and Mexico built would not run so they sent them to the York plant to be reworked...They recalled me for a 6 month tour to help rework the units, I told them to kiss my ass and keep their bullshit job. NAFTA was the biggest culprit. This shows it is very hard to replace a very skilled work force...Harley should be careful they have a very skilled work force that will hard to replace...and if they do move I expect to see higher amount of recalls. At least untill the new factory has been running for a while. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"My understanding is that they are moving to Wisconsin. Consolidating everything in midwest, may be moving sportster plant up from Kansas too, if rumours are true." They're closing the Capitol Dr Motor plant and moving everything to the Menomonee Falls Power Train facility. I don't think there's room for the Sportster builds. I have heard that some VR line workers are being moved to the Sporty line in KC. I have a feeling all the Sportsters will end up there. | ||
| Court |
What . . . since we really have no HD facts to discuss here . . . do you guys think is the SINGLE most important element if you wanted to create/maintain/grow a viable American manufacturing company? What. . . staying in the vein we are in . . would Harley-Davidson irrevocably forfeit by moving? Curious By the way . . I've got my own opinion but need some input from folks with a broader background. | ||
| Spatten1 |
The Northeast and Midwest have been on a decline for 20 years, watching the jobs go to the Southeast. Instead of changing, it's just more of the same actions and results. The Southeast could not be happier with the unions in the Northeast and Midwest. They are still US jobs, just in a place businesses can actually be cost competitive, with grateful workers that are thrilled to have a job. These people do not feel that they are victims because they do not have a union, they are happy to have work. You can keep griping, but it's not helping. Look at what the succcessful states are doing, and there you will find a way to keep your factories. |
