Electrolux layoffs begin (union jobs to Mexico)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald-AP

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (AP) — The layoffs have begun at the Electrolux plant here as the plant begins the process of closing down by this spring.

United Autoworkers Local 442 Vice President Jerry Kloberdanz said the company posted the first stage of layoffs Jan. 7.

Kloberdanz said there are about 500 people working at the plant.

Electrolux, which makes washing machines and dryers, announced in 2009 that it would close the Webster City plant by the end of March.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20110120/NEWS01/701209827/0#electrolux-layoffs-begin

[JCMach1]

1. A lot of this can be laid at the feet of banks, shareholders and owners

who think that it just isn't a profit unless it is 500%.

It is sickening.

[liberal N proud]

2. Going - Going - GONE

I thought we had reached the breaking point when the economy bottomed out. I thought that the manufactures would see that with no one working in the US, there would be no supply of consumers to purchase their goods.

Guess they are not done draining the pool yet.

When will it stop?

[Robb]

3. Damn.

I wonder how long the general public will still think of Electrolux as "Made in the USA"? How long do they get to ride that reputation?

Damn it. :(

[jmowreader]

11. I always thought of Electrolux as "made in Sweden"

[ElsewheresDaughter]

4. boycott,,I was just getting ready to buy their washer and dryer...no more

[pampango]

5. And it's apparently moving a factory from Montreal to Memphis.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jan/18/council-committee-approves-20-million-electrolux-p/

Electrolux is developing a 700,000-square-foot plant in Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park that will house a kitchen appliance factory employing 1,240 people. The project includes $137 million from city, county and state governments.

The Swedish appliance manufacturer’s contribution to the $230 million plant is expected to run about $100 million. It includes about $35 million in manufacturing machinery slated for relocation from existing facilities outside the U.S.

Memphis beat communities in North Carolina and Alabama in the company’s search for a lower-cost site to replace its facility near Montreal, Canada.

With average wages of $30,472 a year plus benefits, the plant will create $47 million a year in direct employment-related impact and another $80 million in indirect impact, from about 2,200 supplier jobs. In addition, construction will have a $360 million one-time economic impact, according to figures compiled by Younger & Associates.

Looks like Canada ends up hurting the most from Electrolux' moves. Of course, it's a Swedish company to begin with, for what that's worth.

[jdadd]

6. This dosn't surprise me....

AB Electrolux (Sweden)bought out my former employer, White Westinghouse (Formerly Westinghouse Electric appliance division), as well as Tappan Range co in Mansfield Ohio, back in the late 80s. They took our Laundry products, Washer and Dryer, and moved them to Webster City. They were buying up lots of smaller US manufacturing companies at that time, and pitting them against each other, to force wage cuts and concessions. Webster City was on average, $4.00 per hour under us,as well as in a newer facility. That was 20 years ago. Electrolux aquired US brands, Tappan,Frigidaire,Kelvinator,White Westinghouse,
Gibson, and others. Mansfield, Ohio Lost over 3,000 Jobs, thanks to AB Electrolux...

[udbcrzy2]

7. Absolutely love their ranges

This is the best range I've ever cooked on and I had considered buying one of their refrigerators too since I love the range so much. Hate to hear they are going to Mexico, but I guess it's better than China, China, China...

[jdadd]

10. I think the Range division was elswhere.....

As far as I know only the laundry division was in Webster city. They picked the best product designs from all the small companies they purchased,then located them in lower wage,and not always,union facilities,then call it the range,laundry,refrigerator,etc division....They chose the Tappan range design, and built it for all divisions. I worked for an appliance outlet.I remember the low end refrigerators were shipped to us without a brand name attached. The dealer would stick whatever badge ie Frigidaire,tappan, etc. This was called the multiflex unit. The higher end models had minor cosmetic changes and were shipped with the brand name attached.I think some of the really low end electrosux products are allready built in china.

[slackmaster]

8. That sucks

So do their vacuum cleaners.

[SpiralHawk]

12. Major suckage for Iowa and America...

The ugliness of Republicon EconoReality hits home...

[patrice]

9. Do they still make floor cleaning appliances? I plan on replacing mine this year.

Will avoid their brand.

[JNelson6563]

13. They devastated a MI in 2004 by doing this

[sarcasmo]

15. Greenville Michigan I believe.

[sarcasmo]

14. Kick, more union job loss, what a sad country.