Harley closes factory, sheds 1000 jobs

US bike giant restructures operations for improved efficiency

Posted: 3 December 2009
by Visordown News

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Harley-Davidson

US MOTORCYCLE giant Harley-Davidson has announced it is to close one its manufacturing plants in a bid to streamline operations, resulting in the loss of around 1,000 jobs.

The company said it will spend hundreds of millions of dollars to reshape the York plant, its largest motorcycle assembly facility, at the expense of laying off nearly half the current work force.

"A restructured York operation will enable the plant to be competitive and sustainable for the future, and the new labour agreement is critical to making that happen," said Harley's CEO, Keith Wandell.

Many employess feared the company would relocate the plant to a more cost-effective location within the US, in light of steep decline in sales.

The Pennsylvania government offered $15 million in capital grants and job training funds to Harley, as an incentive to keep the factory within the State.


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eojmo
It's a pity to see all those people loose thier jobs plus the ones at the  Buell factory.If Harley continue to focus on the older baby boomer, nostalgia and image market, I think they are on a slippery slide and more jobs will have to go. They have nothing to attract younger people and a lot of the older crowd have  lost, or, are hanging on to thier retirement benefits since the world economy collapsed. Not to mention the ones who are dropping off the perch or too old and feeble to ride anymore.Maybe thier clothing line will help keep them above water for a while but not for ever.I was considering a Vrod but the arse has dropped out of the resale value,and you can't give them away.

Posted: 04/12/2009 at 01:00


tytek

Harley have been on the slippery slope for a while - they are history if they don't come up with some new ideas.


Posted: 04/12/2009 at 12:21


Doreen Linder
Harley is just the beginning of what will be many companies trying to compete with the new Climate Change legislation and Ozone regulation.  Climategate has already showed this is bogus.  This is just a scheme to regulate business and kill Capitalism.   www.tinyurl.com

Posted: 04/12/2009 at 17:08


Doreen Linder

Al Gore's climate change theory and a bridge for sale.


Posted: 04/12/2009 at 17:09


TheFlyingBanana

Was it a company called AMF who once 'owned' HD? I think they made Ten Pin Bowling equipment as well?....ahhhh the good old days where you knew they would rust, break & generally fall apart....now we have (just about) HD's that stay together, are a TRUE ikon & I for one (never owned one) would miss on the roads....

The management at HD are reportedly looking to the Far East = China, to get them out the financial sh*te next year.  I'm guessing they think the HD badge will be enough of a attraction for the rising middle classes to aspire to own? I'm (sadly) not convinced.

HD need to take a leaf out of BMW's 'recent' swerve away from the famous ' a Boxer engine fits all' approach.

To the 1000+ HD staff now without a job & the management of HD I sincerely wish them a spell of clarity & good luck.


Posted: 07/12/2009 at 17:19

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