Posted on 09/09/2013 7:09:57 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Niagara Ceramics, the dinnerware manufacturer that was created after the closing of Buffalo China nine years ago, is shutting down, throwing 110 workers out of their jobs.
The company announced the shutdown of its sprawling factory at 75 Hayes Place on Monday in a filing with the state Labor Department.
Company officials, in the filing, cited “economic” reasons for the closing, which they said was effective immediately.
Robert L. Lupica, the former Buffalo China executive and president of Niagara Ceramics, could not be reached to comment.
Lupica was part of an investment group headed by Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence, that purchased the Buffalo business for $5.5 million from Oneida Ltd., which had announced the year before that the plant would be closed. The plant was purchased with a combination of Collins’ personal capital, bank financing and tax incentives.
Collins released the following statement Monday, noting that he was no longer involved with the company:
“I am sorry to hear of the closure of Niagara Ceramics, something I learned about today for the first time from the media. I transferred my ownership interest in Niagara Ceramics in 2012, at no cost, to the management team in an effort to give them the best chance possible at future success. I have had no involvement in the company since that point. Prior to 2012, I had not been involved in day-to-day management of the company since 2007.”
Buffalo China had at least 325 workers at the time of its shutdown in March 2004. Niagara Ceramics hired 240 workers as it began its operations, reducing wages and benefits from what they were under Buffalo China. By late last year, the company’s workforce had dwindled to around 110.
At the time, Lupica blamed the company’s shrinking workforce on the recession that began in late 2007.
The dwindling employment was at the center of controversial ads from supporters of former Rep. Kathleen C. Hochul that attacked Collins for job losses at the Buffalo plant. A review of the ads by The Buffalo News found that most of their claims were false.
The ads claimed Collins fired more than 100 workers after acquiring the company, but Collins supporters said the purchase was made five months after Oneida detailed plans to close the factory and that the new owners did not fire anyone.
Niagara Ceramics was one of just two major producers of commercial-quality dinnerware in the United States. The company supplied popular chain restaurants and nursing homes, and also made dinnerware used at local attractions, including the Roycroft Inn and Darwin Martin House.
The Longaberger Co. announced in May that it would take over a portion of the Niagara Ceramics plant and start making some of its pottery products in Buffalo as part of its push to eventually make all of its pottery products in the United States. Longaberger said it expected to employ 22 people at its pottery-making venture at the plant.
Collins said in his statement that Niagara Ceramics faced unfair competition.
“Niagara Ceramics consistently struggled because of unfair competition from Chinese manufacturers who benefit from China manipulating its currency at the expense of American jobs. As a member of Congress, I believe strongly that the U.S. must take a harder stand against this unfair practice by the Chinese government.”
We are in a trade war, we need to fight.
The company failed because it was old and worn out and unable to compete in the world market. The company had the misfortune to be located in New York.
Sure, lets increase the tariffs on imports. How do you think China is going to react to that. Or OPEC.
You are going to throw Japan under the bus, and all China needs to do is dump a small percentage of their Treasury bills.
All of the conservatives in the 90’s thought all of the free trade was great.
Those chickens are coming home to roost.
Libertarians like Paul and Perot tried to warn us.
Start at 5% then escalate 1% per year until 10%, then either stop escalating or reduce as industry returns(or not).
What will you do to compensate consumers hurt by the tariff?
Wrong question but I will answer: Reduce the personal income tax to reflect revenue gains thru tariffs. Ultimately, eliminate the income tax (pre-1913 situation). Install a NSRT of 6% AFTER income tax is eliminated completely.
Do you think the sugar tariff has been good for America?
Looking around maybe a ban on sugar
Progressives like you love income taxes and hate tariffs. Screw that.
As far as the consumer saving through imports, I'd question that. For quality merchandise the consumer doesn't save when it's not made in the USA. The corporations, spokesmen, those transporting the goods do very well. Does anyone seriously think Nike wouldn't make a profit if their $200 sneakers were made in the USA? On the other end, a lot of the cheap merchandise needs replacement more often.
It's certainly not helping the US to have all wealth sucked upward. What's the answer? The cynic in me suspects there isn't one until the global economy collapses.
That's true. So how about enlightening me and answering the questions?
Hey, we stole the making of China from China, now they are getting it back again.
What the hell are you talking about?
You blather on like someone in 1931.
The world economy is not a black and white issue.
Your proposals would result in a world war, at best.
Oh...then I saw whom I was answering. You would prefer to have slaves, so we could make iPhones here.
What are you going to do when the Russians and Europeans slap a larger tarrif on our wheat?
We just might.
Right now, we are losing big-time.
Fighting a tradewar, might be the only way we can side with our own people.
BUY AMERICAN.
Why waste my time writing a book to try to TEACH you about Real-World business. Not the kind taught by professors who have no experience in the real world of business.
To answer your questions it would take many hours of writing a small book to do so. Since I am a businessman, I will do so if you pay me for my time to do so. Otherwise, buzz off.
I am sitting here thinking of the most recent purchases I’ve made of any consequence:
Expensive, professional DSLR camera—none made in the US
Flat Screen TV—none made in the US
Pick Up Truck (Silverado)—assembled in Mexico from foreign made parts.
New Balance Sneakers—Made in USA
Food—Produce from South America (not in season yet)
Silver and Gold Coins—Made in the US
There are not a lot of products to buy from the US. We have essentially become a colony—we export a lot of raw materials—so buying USA is tough.
Don’t bother with the book. I’ll find someone who knows what they’re talking about and ask them instead.
Dude, we are tariffed to death now. They tariff our products now. We are the stupid ones.
You prefer Chinese slaves....
You sit to pee, admit it.
Do you have a working plan for implementation or is it by imperial fiat?
Do you know of a country presently using tariffs to eliminate taxes on individuals or corporations? If yes, what is their tariff schedule and how do they offset the harm tariffs do to consumers and entrepreneurs?
Regarding the ‘ban on sugar’, do you support NY Mayor Bloomberg’s efforts to control human behavior via civil/secular law?
Is the hyperprofit experienced by the Sugar Cabal an intentional or accidental effect of the sugar tariff? Do you oppose this kind of crony capitalism and the windfall profits it generates for political entrepreneurs?
You are an idiot. But we already knew that. I guess we are making progress. Your mindset has moved from defending one failed economy in the condeferacy to another: early 1930’s America.
We need to unshackle our businesses so they can compete. But that would mean wholesale revolution in the US. You won’t get anyone in the US to work for the necessary wage in order to compete.
Allow companies to bring overseas profit home. That would help too.
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