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Post by Joel on Jan 22, 2009 5:44:39 GMT -6
Just found out that Genmar plant that makes Stratos and Champion Boats has starting laying-off workers with fears(reliable sources) that it will be completely closed in June. "Wave" Industries fishing has also recently shutdown. I'm sure other manufacturers in our industry are in the same situation
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Post by Steve Loraus on Jan 22, 2009 15:25:06 GMT -6
Another buddy sent me this article on Tuesday.
Boat maker won't confirm plant layoffs TV station reports Genmar making cuts BY SCOTT BRODEN • SBRODEN@DNJ.COM • JANUARY 20, 2009 Genmar Stratos officials refused to confirm Monday that the Murfreesboro boat manufacturing plant is laying off employees. A TV news crew camped out in front of Genmar Monday to report job cuts by the Murfreesboro boat factory. But human resource manager Gary Parsons said the corporation asked that he not answer questions related to a Channel 4 Web site story suggesting the factory at 880 Butler Drive was releasing workers and could shut down.
Channel 4 reported that Genmar let go of more than 60 workers Monday and only a third of an estimated 300 workers would be left by Wednesday. Phone messages were left for Genmar's Minneapolis-based corporate spokesman Roger Cloutier Monday afternoon, but he was not available for comment. Genmar was founded in 1978 and employs 5,000 workers to make 13 brands of recreational boats at eight factories, according to its corporate Web page. It reported 2007 model-year sales of $1 billion. Rutherford County Industrial Development Board Chairman Jim Baker said he had not heard any details about Genmar layoffs. His board offers tax abatement incentives to companies for locating or expanding here. The board in the past did have an agreement with a boat manufacturer, but Baker was not sure if the arrangement was with Genmar. "All of those agreements have a sunset (end of contract) to them," Baker said. Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg said he had not heard any details about a layoff involving Genmar, whose plant is on the south side of the city about a half mile east of South Church Street. Many area businesses have been cutting jobs at a time when foreclosure rates are high and the housing industry has slowed. Nissan, for example, announced last July it was offering buyouts in hopes of reducing its work force at its Smyrna and Decherd factories by 1,200 workers. Rutherford County's November unemployment rate figures, reported in late December, stood at 6.7 percent, below the state average of 6.9 percent and equal to the national average of 6.7 percent. That was up from October's rate of 6 percent and 4 percent a year ago. The unemployment rate for Murfreesboro was worse, coming in at 8 percent for November, up .7 percent.
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