GE Jonesboro, Arkansas Plant to Close Next Year

Here is the full story:

Appliance Magazine
November 12th, 2004

"GE Plant to Close Next Year
Nov 12, 2004

General Electric (GE) announced its intent to close an appliance motors facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas, U.S. in November 2005.

"This announcement is difficult to make, but it is necessary as the loss of most of our orders has left us with no other options," Plant Manager Ron Andresevic told the Jonesboro Sun newspaper. "Orders have steadily decreased in recent years as customers have moved to other technology and lower-cost suppliers."

Mr. Andresevic added that plant will register about U.S. $2.4 million in operating losses in 2004 and "it does not make good business sense to continue operations that are losing money."

He would not identify customers the Jonesboro plant has lost, other than to say the decision to close was made after GE received notice it had lost its last major customer. "It is our policy not to comment on suppliers or customers," Mr. Andresevic said.

GE indicated in early 2003 that the plant might be sold. Industry sources then said GE was attempting to sell its small motors division. Mr. Andresevic said "there are no plans for the facility at this time."

The Jonesboro GE plant, constructed in 1954, makes electrical motors for commercial and household refrigeration appliances. The motors division represented less than 1 percent of GE's $134.2 billion in revenues last year.

A GE spokesman said officials of the International Union of Electrical-Communication Workers of America (IUE CWA) Local 747 and plant employees have been notified of the intent to close the plant. Union officials of were not immediately available for comment.

Under the terms of GE's contract with the union, the IUE-CWA has the option of seeking a review of the decision to close, Mr. Andresevic said.

He said he anticipates a final decision will be made within 60 days. If the decision is to proceed with the closing, operations would cease in 12 months.

If the proposed closing becomes final, 80 percent of the employees will be eligible to take one of GE's early retirement options with full benefits, the GE spokesman said.

Benefits will include lump severance pay, continued medical, dental, and life insurance for employees and covered dependents, preferential placement at other GE manufacturing plants, and coverage of some education and retraining expenses. (Jonesboro Sun)"

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Post# 49113 11/13/2004 at 02:33 (6,703 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes General Electric (GE) announced its intent to close an appliance motors facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas, U.S. in November 2005. "This announcement is difficult to make, but it is necessary as the loss of most of our orders has left us with no other options," Plant Manager Ron Andresevic told the Jonesboro Sun newspaper. "Orders have steadily decreased in recent years as customers have moved to other technology and lower-cost suppliers." Full story at: CLICK HERE TO GO TO Launderess's LINK

Post# 49115 , Reply# 1 11/13/2004 at 08:01 (6,702 days old) by westytoploader ()
Checkrate/Likes Jeez, more depressing news to the appliance parts industry that's practically turning obsolete...

Post# 49131 , Reply# 2 11/13/2004 at 17:46 (6,702 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)
Checkrate/Likes There's a GE motor plant in Ft Wayne,IN.I wonder if production is going there,or "cross da border".....

Post# 49132 , Reply# 3 11/13/2004 at 18:23 (6,702 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *Bad Link, Sorry!* Here is the full story: Appliance Magazine November 12th, 2004 "GE Plant to Close Next Year Nov 12, 2004 General Electric (GE) announced its intent to close an appliance motors facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas, U.S. in November 2005. "This announcement is difficult to make, but it is necessary as the loss of most of our orders has left us with no other options," Plant Manager Ron Andresevic told the Jonesboro Sun newspaper. "Orders have steadily decreased in recent years as customers have moved to other technology and lower-cost suppliers." Mr. Andresevic added that plant will register about U.S. $2.4 million in operating losses in 2004 and "it does not make good business sense to continue operations that are losing money." He would not identify customers the Jonesboro plant has lost, other than to say the decision to close was made after GE received notice it had lost its last major customer. "It is our policy not to comment on suppliers or customers," Mr. Andresevic said. GE indicated in early 2003 that the plant might be sold. Industry sources then said GE was attempting to sell its small motors division. Mr. Andresevic said "there are no plans for the facility at this time." The Jonesboro GE plant, constructed in 1954, makes electrical motors for commercial and household refrigeration appliances. The motors division represented less than 1 percent of GE's $134.2 billion in revenues last year. A GE spokesman said officials of the International Union of Electrical-Communication Workers of America (IUE CWA) Local 747 and plant employees have been notified of the intent to close the plant. Union officials of were not immediately available for comment. Under the terms of GE's contract with the union, the IUE-CWA has the option of seeking a review of the decision to close, Mr. Andresevic said. He said he anticipates a final decision will be made within 60 days. If the decision is to proceed with the closing, operations would cease in 12 months. If the proposed closing becomes final, 80 percent of the employees will be eligible to take one of GE's early retirement options with full benefits, the GE spokesman said. Benefits will include lump severance pay, continued medical, dental, and life insurance for employees and covered dependents, preferential placement at other GE manufacturing plants, and coverage of some education and retraining expenses. (Jonesboro Sun)" CLICK HERE TO GO TO Launderess's LINK

Post# 49133 , Reply# 4 11/13/2004 at 18:26 (6,702 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes Goat Farmer, My guess would be the motor work will be out sourced some where outside the United States. Furthermore if the Indiana plant does not make it's "numbers", their days are probably numbered as well. Sad, but it seems manufacturing in United States is dying a slow but sure death. Launderess

Post# 49184 , Reply# 5 11/14/2004 at 21:31 (6,701 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)
Checkrate/Likes *Loss of manufacturing jobs in US* Yes we rehash this quite a bit-but if much more of this happens-Plant jobs like that are high pay and benefits-than I will hear a sucking sound as people who do that type of work may look for jobs in other countries and leave the US.Wouldn't be surprized.If everyone here is stuck with lo pay service and office jobs-how will the workers buy those expensive appliances built in the other countries??Yes even some of GE's large motors are now built in Korea.We have a Korean made new GE 7hp motor running a blower in the HVAC equipment in the building I work in.The motor has been in use for about 6 years-still running-and it runs all the time.I have also noticed such motors are not rebuildable-you just buy another one and throw the bad one out.At best you could replace the bearings.Be interesting to see how things turn out.